Gunman in Mass Shootings Found Dead in Maine
The Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office confirmed on Friday that the gunman responsible for the mass shootings in Lewiston, Maine, which resulted in the deaths of 18 people, has been found dead. The suspect, identified as 40-year-old Robert Card, was discovered near a recycling plant in the Lisbon area.
Multiple law enforcement sources have confirmed that the suspect died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Mike Sauschuck, commissioner of the Maine Department of Public Safety, announced during a news conference that the body was found at approximately 7:45 p.m. near the Androscoggin River in Lisbon, which is approximately 8 miles southwest of Lewiston. Earlier, the suspect’s vehicle, a white Subaru Outback, was discovered abandoned near a boat launch on the river.
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Maine Governor Janet Mills personally informed President Biden of the suspect’s death, expressing relief that Robert Card is no longer a threat to anyone. In response, President Biden acknowledged the tragic events and called upon Republicans in Congress to prioritize the safety of the American people. He vowed to continue his efforts in ending the gun violence epidemic that plagues the nation, emphasizing that the Lewiston community and all Americans deserve nothing less.
Since the shootings on Wednesday night, hundreds of state and local police, as well as federal agents, have been relentlessly searching for the suspect. The manhunt led them to a house in Bowdoin, a small town near Lewiston, but they did not find the suspect there. Divers were later deployed to conduct underwater searches near the location where the suspect’s vehicle was found abandoned.
Authorities recovered a weapon from the suspect’s vehicle, with confirmation that it was legally purchased. However, it remains unclear if this weapon was used in the shootings. Investigators are currently in possession of the suspect’s cellphone and are actively trying to unlock it to gain insights into his motive by analyzing his online activity, including text messages and emails.
The deadly rampage began at Sparetime Recreation, a bowling alley in Lewiston, where six men and one woman were shot and killed. Just minutes later, another shooting occurred at Schemengees Bar and Grille a few miles away, resulting in the deaths of eight individuals. Three others died at nearby hospitals. Police warned the public that the suspect should be considered armed and dangerous.
A law enforcement bulletin revealed that the suspect, a member of the U.S. Army Reserve, had reported experiencing mental health issues and had made threats to shoot up a military base in Saco. He had previously been committed to a mental health facility for two weeks. Communities in the area were placed under shelter-in-place warnings as a precaution, but those orders have since been lifted.
The mayor of Lewiston, Carl Sheline, expressed his disbelief and sorrow, stating that the tragedy was incomprehensible for the city. The victims of the mass shooting ranged in age from 14 to 76, with heartbreaking stories of individuals who heroically tried to intervene or were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Attorney General Merrick Garland expressed condolences and acknowledged the irrevocable loss caused by the actions of the suspect.
Senator Susan Collins of Maine thanked the dedicated first responders for their tireless efforts in apprehending the killer.
– Julia Kimani, Jeff Pegues, Andres Triay, Robert Legare, and Matthew Mosk contributed to this report.
