Tragedy Strikes in Lewiston, Maine: Gunman Found Dead After Killing 18
Lewiston, Maine, witnessed a horrifying tragedy when a U.S. Army reservist, Robert Card, unleashed violence at a bowling alley and later at a local bar, claiming the lives of 18 people. The assailant was discovered dead on Friday from a self-inflicted gunshot, bringing an end to a relentless two-day manhunt that had gripped the entire state in fear.
The search for Robert Card concluded in nearby Lisbon Falls, where his lifeless body was found, according to a statement from Governor Janet Mills during a Friday night press conference. The governor expressed relief that Card was no longer a threat to the community, though the pain and suffering inflicted by the massacre remained.
The statewide operation to locate Card involved hundreds of law enforcement officers, including local police, sheriff’s deputies, FBI agents, and others, bringing life in Lewiston and its surrounding communities to a standstill. Citizens were advised to remain in their homes during this tense period.
Card, a 40-year-old Bowdoin resident and an Army reservist, had worked at a recycling center, which turned out to be the location where he was found dead. The authorities have not disclosed the details of the investigation, but an anonymous official confirmed the discovery.
UPDATE: Robert Card, the suspect in the Lewiston, Maine, shooting rampage was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. pic.twitter.com/usrwJJ0eCX
— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) October 28, 2023
Last summer, Card had undergone a mental health evaluation after displaying erratic behavior during training. This prompted his commitment to a mental health facility for two weeks, following concerns about him hearing voices and making threats related to violence.
Card’s rampage began at a bowling alley before continuing at a bar, and despite swift police responses to both scenes, he managed to evade capture. The subsequent search efforts extended to the woods and hundreds of acres of Card’s family-owned property. Dive teams were also deployed to search the bottom of the Androscoggin River for any signs of the fugitive.
Before Card’s body was discovered, the names and images of the 18 victims, including 15 men, two women, and a 14-year-old boy, were released during a press conference. The victims hailed from various walks of life, leaving a deep void in the hearts of their loved ones and the community.
The tragedy in Lewiston, Maine, which saw the deadliest shootings in the state’s history, was a stark contrast to the typically low crime rate in the area. In 2022, the entire state recorded only 29 homicides.
Prior to his death, authorities found a firearm in Card’s vehicle, located at a boat ramp, which they are testing to determine if it was used in the shootings. While it’s known that at least one rifle was used in the attacks, no further details have been released regarding the source of the firearms or the motive behind the killings.
The discovery of a suicide note at a residence associated with Card offered no specific insights into the reasons behind the tragic events. Card’s family members informed federal investigators that he had been discussing hearing voices and had become increasingly focused on the bowling alley and bar in recent times.
Despite the pain and devastation, the end of the manhunt allowed residents to begin healing. Hunting restrictions in the area, imposed due to the search, were lifted as the public safety alert announced, “The search is over for Mr. Card. The caution is over. Hunting may resume.”
The Lewiston shootings marked the 36th mass killing in the United States that year, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in collaboration with Northeastern University.
BREAKING: Maine shooting suspect Robert Card has been found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, multiple law enforcement sources told ABC News.
A body has been recovered, the sources said. The body was found at a recycling center in Lisbon where Card worked, sources said. pic.twitter.com/DkJZZc8h8S
— ABC News (@ABC) October 28, 2023