The suspect in the Lewiston, Maine mass shooting, a 40-year-old firearms instructor, was found dead on Friday, according to officials. The body of Robert Card was discovered near the Androscoggin River in Lisbon Falls. Maine Department of Public Safety Commissioner Mike Sauschuck confirmed that Card had died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. The exact time of his death remains unknown.
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During a late-night news conference, Maine Gov. Janet T. Mills emphasized the need for healing in this difficult time. Prior to the conference, close relatives and loved ones of the victims and the shooter were informed of Card’s death. Lewiston Police Chief David St. Pierre expressed his commitment to not forgetting the grieving families.
The mass shooting took place on Wednesday when Card allegedly opened fire at Schemengees Bar and Grille and the Just-In-Time Recreation bowling alley. The tragic event resulted in the deaths of 18 people in Lewiston, which has a population of approximately 37,000.
After an extensive manhunt involving over 350 law enforcement personnel, the development of Card’s death was a significant breakthrough. Residents of Lewiston and surrounding towns were instructed to shelter in place, but the order has since been lifted. The city was noticeably quiet as many businesses remained closed.
Initially, an arrest warrant had been issued for Card on eight counts of murder. Maine State Police stated that the number of counts could increase as further identifications of the victims are made. The motive behind the shootings remains unknown.
According to a member of Card’s family, his mental health had rapidly deteriorated, and he began experiencing auditory hallucinations. Card, a longtime Army reservist, had received psychiatric treatment this summer at the recommendation of his unit commanders.
The search for Card intensified after his Subaru was located near the Androscoggin River in Lisbon. Police executed search warrants in the town of Bowdoin, where Card resided.
Sen. Susan Collins expressed gratitude towards the first responders who tirelessly pursued the killer. The mass shooting, which is the deadliest in Maine’s history, has left the state and the nation shaken. President Joe Biden condemned the senseless and tragic attack and renewed his call for stricter gun laws.
Lewiston, along with the neighboring city of Auburn, has a combined population of approximately 65,000 people. Despite the tragedy, Governor Mills described Lewiston as a resilient community known for its hard work and compassion.
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