Maine mass shooting: What we know after 18 killed in Lewiston

C

The children were engaged in games at a party hosted at a bowling alley.

The people who live in the area were enjoying drinks and food at a restaurant.

Wednesday night started off like any other, but ended with another tragic incident of gun violence in the United States.

On Wednesday night, a shooter went into two places in Lewiston, Maine and started shooting, resulting in the deaths of 18 people and injuries to 13 others.

On Friday evening, following a two-day search for Robert Card, who was considered armed and dangerous and wanted for the shootings, a body was discovered in a box trailer located in an overflow lot at a recycling center where he was previously employed. It is believed that he committed suicide.

Maine residents were confined to their homes and businesses for two days as authorities searched for a US Army Reserve instructor suspected of planning a shooting at a National Guard post. The individual had also reported hearing voices prior to the incident.

This is what we are aware of:

The terrifying shootings took place at approximately 6:56pm on Wednesday evening, when an armed individual entered two locations in Lewiston and began shooting at those present.

The initial destination chosen was Sparetime Recreation, a bowling alley that is well-liked by families and kids.

Robert McCarthy, a councilor for the city of Lewiston, mentioned that there was a party for children happening at that moment.

The second shooting occurred approximately four miles from the Schemengees Bar & Grille Restaurant. The restaurant is a spacious establishment that includes 10 pool tables and televisions for viewing major sporting events. Several calls to 911 were made around 7:08pm regarding the incident.

The restaurant announced on Facebook that it would be hosting an “industry night” later that evening.

“Tonight is Industry Night! Are you employed in the bar or restaurant industry? Enjoy a 25% discount on your bill!”

The police were alerted about shootings and quickly arrived at the scene to discover several injured individuals.

Governor Janet Mills of Maine announced in a press conference on Thursday that a total of 18 individuals lost their lives and 13 others were wounded in the attacks.

Seven individuals, consisting of one female and six males, were discovered deceased due to gunshot injuries at the bowling alley.

Seven men were fatally wounded within the Schemengees Bar & Grille Restaurant, while one man was killed outside.

Three additional individuals passed away after being transported to a nearby medical facility.

The status of those who are injured is still uncertain.

Ms. Mill stated that Maine is among the safest states in the country and promised to ensure that the responsible individual is held accountable.

She expressed that these families and this city are dear to her.

I hope I could alleviate the pain in your hearts and shoulders, but I assure you that we will all support you in carrying that sorrow.

According to a statement from a city official given to CNN, it is believed that 22 individuals lost their lives and approximately 60 others were injured in the incident.

The Public Safety Commissioner of Maine, Mike Sauschuck, declined to provide an exact count of deaths on Wednesday evening, stating: “The situation is constantly changing. I do not have precise figures at this time, but I will gladly share them with you when I do… I do not believe it would be beneficial.”

Initially, there were reports indicating a possible shooting at a Walmart Distribution Centre in a third location. However, this was later confirmed to be false.

On Wednesday evening, Walmart issued a statement clarifying that there was no instance of gunfire on their premises. As a precaution, the distribution center was secured and law enforcement conducted a thorough search, but no evidence was found and no injuries were reported.

Maine State Police discovered the body of Card on Friday evening in a trailer located in the overflow lot of Maine Recycling Corporation. The owner of the plant, who was believed to be Card’s previous boss, informed the police to check the trailers for any potential hiding individuals, as he was familiar with the property. Surprisingly, the police revealed on Saturday morning that they had previously searched the area twice but returned to find the body after examining 55 to 60 trailers.

It is believed that he took his own life. Two guns were found at the location.

In the days leading up to this event, there was a large effort to find Robert Card, who had been identified as the potential shooter.

The police labeled Mr. Card as a potential suspect after sharing alarming clips from surveillance footage on Facebook. The footage showed the shooter entering the bowling alley with a rifle.

The Lewiston Police Department also posted an image of a white SUV that is being sought in connection with the shooting. They urged anyone who sees it to notify the authorities.

Police confirmed at approximately 11:30pm that Mr. Card’s car was found in Lisbon, which is approximately eight miles away from Lewiston. However, Mr. Card is still missing.

During the press conference on Thursday, authorities confirmed that the car was discovered near a dock in Lisbon. It was later disclosed that the vehicle contained a rifle.

Citizens living in Auburn, Bowdoin, Lewiston, and Lisbon were advised to stay indoors and businesses were instructed to close due to the ongoing manhunt.

The public was cautioned not to approach Mr. Card if they spotted him, as he was deemed “armed and dangerous.”

On Thursday night, approximately 24 hours after the initial incidents, the FBI conducted a thorough search of Mr. Card’s property in Bowdoin. A representative from the Maine Department of Public Safety had previously informed CNN that law enforcement was uncertain of Mr. Card’s presence in the house and that they were diligently fulfilling their responsibilities.

On Thursday afternoon, there were multiple police vehicles spotted near Card’s residence in Bowdoin. According to CNN, there were also several loud noises heard in the area.

Some people believed the sound may have been caused by police using flash bangs during confrontations with armed individuals. Soon after, a recording surfaced showing law enforcement officers outside a building, using a megaphone to announce: “FBI! Please open the door!”

At approximately 8:45pm, police vehicles were seen in a convoy leaving the property.

During a press conference on Friday morning, Maine’s public safety commissioner Michael Sauschuck announced that the search for Mr Card had reached the 36-hour mark and efforts were being expanded. Diving teams were being deployed to check for any evidence or potential bodies in the Androscoggin River.

On Thursday, authorities discovered a car linked to the alleged shooter in Lisbon, located near a boat ramp along the Androscoggin River, which eventually feeds into the Kennebec River.

According to Mr. Sauschuck, the investigation in the river area will expand to include a physical search of the nearby vicinity and a helicopter search to pinpoint specific areas for divers to explore. The Maine State Police will be in charge of this effort.

At the press conference, Mr. Sauschuck stated that the investigation into the crime scenes where the shootings occurred is still several days from being finished. He requested that the public show respect and patience as law enforcement continues to process the scenes, identify victims, and reach out to families.

Shortly following the incidents, authorities identified Robert Card as a potential suspect.

Officials have announced that he is now considered a suspect in the killings and a warrant has been issued for his arrest on eight counts of murder. However, the identities of 10 victims have yet to be determined.

Mr. Card, who was 40 years old, served as a member of the US Army Reserves and was also certified as a firearms instructor, indicating his extensive training in the handling and use of firearms.

The US Army verified that he enlisted in 2002 and did not participate in any combat missions. During the incidents, he held the rank of Sergeant First Class and worked as a Petroleum Supply Specialist.

According to law enforcement authorities, Mr. Card had recently made threats to commit a shooting at a National Guard facility in Saco. He also disclosed mental health concerns, including auditory hallucinations.

The individual was admitted to a psychiatric facility for two weeks during the summer. However, authorities clarified during a press conference on Saturday that there is no evidence of involuntary commitment for treatment. The commissioner of public safety also mentioned a possible mental health issue related to the incident, but has not found any proof to support the idea that the individual was experiencing auditory hallucinations. The police are currently looking into the reason behind the incident.

Following the suspect’s death, another piece of information was revealed: Card’s family members were the first to recognize him in photos of the shooter that were shared with the police. The commissioner in charge of public safety noted that the family had been very helpful and cooperative during the investigation.

Prior to his discovery, Mr. Card’s relatives expressed their surprise, with his sister-in-law telling The Daily Beast that the news has left them feeling “disturbed.”

At the moment, I am with the police and my children are extremely frightened and upset. Therefore, I am not able to provide any comments at this time.

During a press conference on Friday, authorities disclosed that a note was found at Mr. Card’s residence during a search of the premises. The specific details of the note were not disclosed, causing speculation that it may provide insight into a potential motive for the murders.

Authorities have acknowledged that they are still uncertain about the underlying reasons for the mass shootings.

According to sources from the police, it was reported to ABC News that a note, believed to be a suicide note, was discovered in Mr. Card’s residence during a search. However, officials have not verified this information. On Saturday, they did confirm that the note was addressed to a family member or significant other.

According to officials, the note included the suspect’s phone password and information about their bank account.

The police have officially released the identities of all 18 individuals who lost their lives in the shootings, with permission from their families. Among them was a 14-year-old boy who was at the bowling alley with his father.

According to Aaron Young’s uncle, Rob Young, 14-year-old Aaron was at the Just-In-Time Recreation bowling alley on Wednesday night with his father, Bill Young, for their bowling league.

For several hours, the family of Aaron and Bill were left in the dark about the fate of their loved ones. The search ultimately came to a devastating conclusion on Thursday afternoon, as the family received the heartbreaking news that both father and son had perished in the attack.

Kim McConville, Bill’s cousin, informed NBC News that the two individuals were simply “innocent individuals” who were spending an evening together at the bowling alley before being notified of their deaths.

She stated that they were simply innocent individuals enjoying a night of bowling. It was supposed to be a children’s event, and no one could have anticipated a shooter entering. However, she acknowledged that we live in a chaotic world today.

The Portland Press Herald reported that Cassandra, the daughter-in-law of a 76-year-old retired mechanic from Sears who enjoyed bowling, confirmed that he was one of the victims at the bowling alley.

According to reports, Bob Violette, a Lewiston resident who oversaw a youth bowling league, tragically lost his life while attempting to defend the children under his care on Wednesday evening.

Both Mr. Violette and his wife, Lucy, were enthusiastic bowlers. Mr. Violette even founded the youth bowling league at Sparetime Recreation and was recently honored with induction into the Maine Bowling Hall of Fame.

According to Cassandra, he was always there for everything and wouldn’t let you leave without a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Later, police identified Lucy Violette as another victim of the attacks.

At 34 years old, Tommy Conrad was employed as a manager at the bowling alley. Sadly, he has passed away, leaving behind a nine-year-old daughter.

It has been disclosed that Michael Deslauriers and Jason Walker, two companions, lost their lives while protecting their loved ones from the shooting at the bowling alley. They bravely confronted the assailant in their final moments.

On Wednesday night, Mr. Deslauriers Sr. stated that his son and Mr. Walker were present at the bowling alley during the shooting.

On the Sabattus Historical Society’s Facebook page, Mr. Deslauriers Sr. shared a devastating message about how he and another individual quickly took action in an attempt to prevent further harm and put an end to the violence.

“I, Michael Deslauriers Sr, have the most difficult news that a father could ever have to share,” he stated.

Last night, my son Michael Deslauriers II and his close friend Jason Walker were killed at the bowling alley. Before confronting the shooter, they made sure their wives and young children were in a safe place.

Tricia Asselin was employed part-time at Just-In-Time Recreation and happened to be bowling on Wednesday night when the perpetrator entered and began shooting.

Asselin’s sister, Bobbi Lynn-Nichols, was present as well but unfortunately lost her life in the chaos. While Bobbi managed to escape unharmed, Asselin did not survive.

At the second establishment, Schemengees Bar & Grille Restaurant, one of the individuals involved was identified as Joseph Walker, the manager of the bar.

There were multiple individuals at the bar who were participating in a cornhole tournament for the deaf.

Joshua Seal was employed as an interpreter for American Sign Language at the Pine Tree Society. He was serving as the host for a gathering of individuals from the deaf community when the shooting incident occurred.

Elizabeth, his wife, announced his passing in a Facebook post. She described him as not only a fantastic leader, but also an amazing translator, a dear friend, a devoted son, brother, uncle, and grandson. His family meant everything to him and he always prioritized them.

According to Bryan MacFarlane’s sister, he typically frequented the bar on Wednesdays for his regular game of cornhole and to spend time with his friends. She received the news of his passing in the attack.

Bill Brackett and Steven Vozzella were both present at the community event for the deaf, as confirmed by their family members.

The National Association of Letter Carriers expressed their sadness and condolences for the passing of Mr. Vozella, aged 45.

Arthur Strout, a 42-year-old man with five children, had recently informed his father that he planned on staying for a few additional games.

According to Arthur Barnard, he was at the bar with his son on the night of the shooting and had departed only 10 minutes before the incident occurred.

“I departed 10 minutes prior to this occurrence. He was meant to depart with me, but he chose to stay for a few more games,” he stated. He continued, “He was adored by people. They simply adored him.”

The Maine AFL-CIO, a collection of more than 160 labor unions at the state level, revealed that Peyton Brewer Ross, a member, was one of the individuals who lost their lives.

The federation shared a photo on X of Mr. Ross, a new father and member of the Machinists Local S6 union, smiling and holding a young child, stating that he was beloved by his community.

The family of Ron Morin has verified that he was one of the individuals who lost their lives. They honored him in a post on Facebook, expressing, “May you rest in peace, Ronnie. Your smile and lively spirit will always be cherished and remembered.”

During the press conference on Friday, Maxx Hathaway and Keith Macneir were also identified as victims who had passed away.

Source: independent.co.uk