The man believed to have killed 18 people and injured 13 in a Lewiston firing tragedy, Maine, was found dead, likely from shooting himself. This ended a 48-hour search after the deadliest shooting incident in the state’s history.
The body of Robert R Card, aged 40 the Lewiston firing suspect, was discovered in the woods near the nearby town of Lisbon Falls, close to where the police found his abandoned vehicle soon after the shooting on Wednesday night.
Maine Governor Janet Mills, in a news conference, confirmed his death and expressed relief, thanking the many officers involved in the search. She said, “Like many people, I am breathing a sigh of relief tonight, knowing that Robert Card, the main element of Lewiston firing case, is no longer a threat to anyone… Now is the time to heal.”
Lewiston firing death reason
Card is believed to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot, according to Mike Sauschuck, Maine’s Department of Public Safety commissioner.
On Wednesday night, Card opened fire on his victims, first at the Just-In-Time Recreation bowling alley and then at Schemengees Bar & Grille Restaurant, which was hosting cornhole beanbag-throwing games. Authorities have not disclosed any suspected motive for the attacks.
The shootings and the long search for the suspect caused a lot of fear and confusion in Lewiston, a normally busy and calm place in Maine. People had to stay in their homes during the search, but this order was lifted by the police on Friday.
Lewiston is a city by the Androscoggin River, not far from the bigger city of Portland and the capital, Augusta.
The man responsible for Lewiston firing, Robert R Card, was a sergeant in the Army Reserve and lived in a nearby town called Bowdoin. He was trained in using guns and worked as a petroleum supply specialist when he was on duty at a military base in Saco, Maine. He also had a history of mental health issues and was in a psychiatric facility for two weeks in the summer of 2023.
After the terrible events on Wednesday night, the police shared pictures of a man from a surveillance camera. He was wearing a brown hooded sweatshirt and jeans, and he seemed to have a semi-automatic rifle.
The initial clues led the police to Lisbon, a town southeast of Lewiston, where they found a white SUV they thought Card used to escape. It was parked by the river, and public records showed that Card owned at least one boat from Sea-Doo, a company known for its personal watercraft.
Lisbon Falls, where Card’s body was found who was the main element in Lewiston firing, is the next town along the river.
To find Lewiston firing suspect, the police searched the river with divers and sonar on Friday. They also went door-to-door in the neighborhoods, looking for more clues and people who might have seen something.
The authorities have now released the names and ages of the victims for the first time. Among them were deaf people who were playing in a beanbag-throwing tournament, a father and his son who were bowling, and an older couple.
There were also brave individuals like Joshua Seal, who worked as an interpreter for people with disabilities during the pandemic. Stephen Vozella was a postal worker and part of the Deaf Cornhole group.
Bryan MacFarlane was a motorcyclist and part of the cornhole tournament. Bill Young and his son Aaron were bowling together when they were shot. Husband and wife, Bob Violette and Lucille Violette, were also bowling together when they lost their lives.
Tricia Asselin was a part-time worker at the bowling alley who tried to call 911 when she was shot, and Joseph Walker was a manager at Schemengees who stayed to help and even tried to stop the shooter.
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