Gunman in Maine Mass Shootings Found Dead
The gunman responsible for the mass shootings that claimed the lives of 18 people in Lewiston, Maine, has been found dead, according to the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office. The suspect, identified as 40-year-old Robert Card, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound near a recycling plant in the Lisbon area. Multiple law enforcement sources confirmed the discovery of his body.
The search for the suspect came to an end after his abandoned white Subaru Outback was found near a boat launch on the Androscoggin River. Law enforcement authorities located his body at approximately 7:45 p.m. local time on Friday in Lisbon, a town about 8 miles southwest of Lewiston.
Maine Governor Janet Mills informed President Biden of the suspect’s death, expressing relief that Card is “no longer a threat to anyone.” President Biden, in his own statement, called the incident “a tragic two days – not just for Lewiston, Maine, but for our entire country.” He called on Republicans in Congress to take action to keep the American people safe and pledged to continue his efforts to end the gun violence epidemic.
The manhunt for Card involved hundreds of state and local police officers, as well as federal agents. On Thursday night, police surrounded a house in Bowdoin, the suspect’s hometown, but were unable to locate him. Divers were also deployed to conduct underwater searches near the location of the abandoned vehicle.
Investigations into the motive behind the shootings are ongoing. Authorities have recovered a firearm from the suspect’s vehicle, but it is unclear if it was used in the shootings. They are also attempting to crack the suspect’s cellphone and examine his online activity for any potential clues.
The shootings began at a bowling alley in Lewiston, where six men and one woman were killed. A few minutes later, another shooting took place at a nearby bar, resulting in the deaths of eight people. Three additional victims died at area hospitals. The victims’ ages ranged from 14 to 76.
The suspect, a member of the U.S. Army Reserve, had recently reported experiencing mental health issues and had made threats towards a military base in Saco. He had previously been committed to a mental health facility for two weeks. The investigation is also looking into the possibility that the suspect may have been targeting a specific individual.
Communities in the area were under shelter-in-place orders in the days following the shootings, but those orders have now been lifted. The tragedy has deeply affected the community, with Mayor Carl Sheline expressing his heartbreak for the victims and their families.
Attorney General Merrick Garland acknowledged that while the suspect is no longer a threat, the lives lost cannot be brought back. Senator Susan Collins of Maine thanked the first responders who worked tirelessly throughout the investigation.
The nation mourns the loss of innocent lives in this senseless act of violence and continues to grapple with the devastating impact of gun violence.