Tragedy Strikes in Maine: Maine mass shooting update, 18 Dead and 13 Injured, Suspect at Large.
Lewiston, Maine, was struck by a devastating tragedy on Wednesday night as a mass shooting left at least 18 people dead and 13 others injured. Maine Governor Janet Mills confirmed the heart-wrenching news on Thursday morning.
The horrifying event unfolded with a suspect still at large, heightening concerns throughout the region. Authorities have launched an intense manhunt to locate the individual responsible for this heinous act.
Maine Mass Shooting Update
The focus of the manhunt is on 40-year-old Robert Card, as revealed by Maine Public Safety Commissioner Mike Sauschuck during a press conference on Thursday. He is considered armed and dangerous, adding to the urgency of the situation.
Efforts to identify the victims were still underway on Thursday morning, with state police Col. William Ross disclosing that eight had been identified, while 10 others remained to be identified.
The shooting spree occurred at two separate locations in Lewiston. At Sparetime Recreation, a bowling alley, six males and one female lost their lives due to apparent gunshot wounds. In contrast, at Schemengees Bar and Grille, located about 4 miles away, seven males inside the establishment and one individual outside were tragically shot to death. Three additional individuals succumbed to their injuries at area hospitals.
Police first received a 911 call about the shooting at the bowling alley at around 6:56 p.m. EDT, and just over ten minutes later, at about 7:08 p.m., multiple calls were made regarding the second shooting. Law enforcement swiftly responded to both scenes, despite the dangers they faced.
Disturbingly, an earlier bulletin from Maine law enforcement indicated that the suspect, Robert Card, had reported mental health issues, including hearing voices. He had also allegedly made threats related to the National Guard base in Saco, Maine, leading to his commitment to a mental health facility for two weeks during the summer.
Notably, Card’s connection to the U.S. Army Reserve has added complexity to the case. He was reported to be stationed in Saco, Maine, and initially, it was believed that he was a trained firearms instructor. However, an updated bulletin stated that there was no indication of his status as an instructor.
Furthermore, an incident occurred while Card was training at the U.S. Military Academy in New York in July, with leaders of the Army Reserve’s 3rd Battalion, 304th Infantry Regiment reporting his erratic behavior. The New York Army National Guard spokesperson revealed that the suspect was taken to an Army hospital at West Point for evaluation.
In the midst of a widespread search for the suspect, local authorities urged residents to report any suspicious activity. The suspect has ties to Massachusetts, prompting Massachusetts State Police and federal agents to be stationed at the Maine border. Additionally, Canada’s Border Services Agency issued an “armed and dangerous” alert to its officers along the U.S.-Canada border.
The manhunt has led to multiple communities, including Lewiston, Lisbon, and Bowdoin, advising residents to shelter in place. The closure of numerous schools in the region due to the ongoing search highlights the severity of the situation.
The tragic event has sent shockwaves throughout the state of Maine and beyond, leaving the affected communities in mourning and raising questions about the ongoing challenge of gun violence in the United States.
As investigations continue and law enforcement agencies collaborate to locate the suspect, the nation watches and hopes for a swift resolution to this horrifying incident. The outpouring of support and condolences from officials, including President Biden, serves as a reminder of the unity that can emerge in the face of tragedy.
Credit: BBC
