28-10-2023 (LEWINSTON) The man suspected of committing a heinous act of violence that left 18 people dead and 13 wounded in Lewiston, Maine, was discovered deceased, likely due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound on Friday. This somber development marked the conclusion of a grueling 48-hour manhunt following the deadliest episode of gun violence in Maine’s history.
The lifeless body of the suspect, Robert R. Card, aged 40, was located in the woods near the neighboring town of Lisbon Falls, not far from where his abandoned vehicle was initially found shortly after the tragic shooting spree on Wednesday night.
Maine Governor Janet Mills, during a news conference, confirmed the news, expressing gratitude to the numerous officers from various law enforcement agencies who tirelessly participated in the search. She stated, “Like many people, I am breathing a sigh of relief tonight, knowing that Robert Card is no longer a threat to anyone… Now is the time to heal.”
Mike Sauschuck, Commissioner of Maine’s Department of Public Safety, disclosed that Card had succumbed to an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The U.S. Army reservist, Robert Card, had opened fire on his victims during a horrifying series of events on Wednesday night. The shooting spree began at the Just-In-Time Recreation bowling alley and continued minutes later at Schemengees Bar & Grille Restaurant, where patrons were engaged in cornhole beanbag-throwing games. Authorities have not yet unveiled a suspected motive for his actions.
These senseless shootings and the extensive manhunt had deeply shaken the typically vibrant and tranquil community of Lewiston, a former textile hub and the second-largest city in Maine.
Earlier on Friday, Maine State Police lifted the order that had kept tens of thousands of people confined to their homes during the ongoing manhunt.
Lewiston is situated along the banks of the Androscoggin River, approximately 35 miles north of Portland, the largest city in Maine, and nearly as far southwest of the state’s capital, Augusta.
Card, an Army Reserve sergeant hailing from the nearby town of Bowdoin, was recognized by authorities as a trained firearms instructor who served as a petroleum supply specialist during his military service at the reserve base in Saco, Maine. Law enforcement officials also revealed that he had a history of mental illness and had been committed to a psychiatric facility for two weeks in the summer of 2023, after which he was released.
Following the violence on Wednesday night, law enforcement circulated surveillance camera photos from one of the crime scenes, showing a bearded man wearing a brown, hooded sweatshirt and jeans while carrying what appeared to be a semi-automatic rifle.
The initial trail of evidence led investigators to Lisbon, a town about 7 miles southeast of Lewiston. In Lisbon, Maine State Police located a white SUV believed to be used by Card to escape, which had been parked at a boat launch on the river. Public records indicated that Card owned at least one watercraft manufactured by Sea-Doo, known for its jet ski-style personal watercraft. Lisbon Falls, where Card’s body was found, is the neighboring town along the river.
During the search for Card, law enforcement deployed divers and sonar to scour the waters of the Androscoggin River on Friday and conducted door-to-door canvassing in neighborhoods to gather additional clues and potential eyewitness accounts.
As the investigation continued, authorities officially released the names and ages of the victims for the first time. These revelations depicted a cross-section of Lewiston residents who lost their lives, including deaf individuals participating in a beanbag-throwing tournament, a father-and-son duo of bowlers, and an elderly couple aged 76 and 73.
Notably, four of the victims were members of the deaf community, emphasizing the importance of American Sign Language interpretation during press conferences. Among those killed was Joshua Seal, 36, the director of interpreting services for the Pine Tree Society, a non-profit organization aiding individuals with disabilities. Seal had been instrumental in providing vital interpreting services to isolated individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Stephen Vozella, 45, was a postal worker and an active member of New England Deaf Cornhole, a group that participated in the tournament at Schemengees. Bryan MacFarlane, 41, another participant in the cornhole tournament, was an enthusiastic motorcyclist. Bill Young, 44, and his 14-year-old son Aaron were tragically shot and killed while bowling together. Husband and wife, Bob Violette, 76, and Lucille Violette, 73, were also enjoying a night of bowling when they lost their lives. Tricia Asselin, 53, a part-time worker at the bowling alley, was attempting to call 911 when she was fatally shot. Joseph Walker, 57, who managed Schemengees, displayed immense bravery by staying on the scene to assist despite having an opportunity to escape. Tragically, he lost his life while trying to protect others from the shooter’s rampage.
