The Manhunt Continues for Suspect in Lewiston Mass Shootings
The search for the suspect in the mass shootings that took place in Lewiston, Maine, on Wednesday night, resulting in the deaths of 18 people and injuries to 13 others, continues. The suspect, identified as 40-year-old Robert Card, is considered armed and dangerous. Maine Public Safety Commissioner Mike Sauschuck provided an update during a news conference on Thursday, stating that law enforcement agencies are actively searching for Card with the help of hundreds of police officers, 80 FBI agents, federal marshals, and personnel from other agencies. Local communities have been advised to remain sheltered-in-place as the manhunt unfolds.
The investigation led law enforcement officials to a house in Bowdoin, the suspect’s hometown, where heavily armed officers were seen on Thursday night. However, the search concluded without finding the suspect. The manhunt for Card is ongoing.
The tragedy began at Sparetime Recreation, a bowling alley in Lewiston, where seven people were shot and killed on Wednesday evening. Another shooting occurred at Schemengees Bar and Grille, about 4 miles away, where seven more people were killed. Three additional victims died at a local hospital. Police received a 911 call about the first shooting at 6:56 p.m. EDT, followed by multiple calls about the second shooting at 7:08 p.m. The weapon used in the attacks was a semi-automatic rifle with an extended magazine and scope.
Municipal authorities, including Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline, expressed shock and devastation over the events that unfolded in their city. The investigation is now focusing on whether the suspect was targeting a specific individual, potentially a current or former girlfriend. The police are still determining if this person was present at either of the shooting locations.
As details about the victims emerge, a clearer picture of the tragedy is forming. Among those killed were Arthur Strout, a devoted father of three, and 76-year-old Bob Violette, who was doing what he loved at the time of the shooting – bowling. Michael Deslauriers II, a brave man who shielded his loved ones before confronting the shooter, also lost his life. Joseph Walker, a bar manager who went after the gunman with a butcher knife, was tragically killed. The Governor Baxter School for the Deaf mourns the loss of four members – Joshua Seal, Billy Brackett, Steve Vozzella, and Bryan MacFarlane. Other victims include Peyton Brewer-Ross, a valued member of General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, and three individuals associated with Winthrop High School. The community is grieving these devastating losses.
The suspect, Robert Card, has a military background as a sergeant first class in the U.S. Army Reserve. However, officials have discovered recent mental health issues, including reports of auditory hallucinations. Card had also made threats to shoot up the National Guard base in Saco and had been committed to a mental health facility earlier this summer. While training at the U.S. Military Academy in New York, he displayed erratic behavior, leading to a visit to an Army hospital for evaluation.
The manhunt for Robert Card continues, and law enforcement officials have urged the public to report any relevant information. The suspect has connections to Massachusetts, and authorities have heightened security along the U.S.-Canada border. The investigation found a white Subaru Outback registered to Card and recovered near the Androscoggin River. The U.S. Coast Guard is involved in the search, utilizing a response vessel and a fixed-wing aircraft. Residents of Lewiston, Lisbon, and Bowdoin have been advised to remain indoors until further notice, as law enforcement efforts intensify.
