Lewiston Maine shooting: Police dubbed ‘utter clowns’ for response to attacks
The Maine State Police have been blasted by a local deputy as “utter clowns” for its response in the immediate aftermath to the mass shootings in Lewiston last week, as it emerged that several major warning signs about suspect Robert Card had been missed in the months prior to the horrific incidents.
In a since-deleted scathing Facebook post, seen by Bangor Daily News before it was taken down, Sgt Jon Guay of Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office claimed local and federal agencies were met with “radio silence” during the manhunt as state troopers took the lead on the case.
Authorities on Monday said that Card’s “concerned” family had alerted the local sheriff about his mental health – and that they were concerned he had access to firearms – in May this year. Records demonstrating how Card “aggressively” discussed guns — in conversations with former recycling plant colleagues and friends — have also surfaced.
The Maine National Guard had also asked local police in September to check on the US Army reservist amid concerns that he would “snap and commit a mass shooting”, according to CNN.
Meanwhile, thousands of Lewiston residents gathered for a vigil on Sunday night to honour those killed.
Key points
All 18 victims of Maine mass-shooting identified by authorities
‘A love that cannot be gunned down’: Lewiston holds vigil for shooting victims
Ten-year-old girl injured in Maine bowling alley shooting asks heartbreaking question
14-year-old boy identified as victim of Lewiston mass shooting
13:00 , Kelly Rissman
A unique tribute to a Lewiston shooting victim ate the same meal at the same cafe each week
Beloved regular Ronald Morin, who came in most Saturdays at Dubois Cafe to entertain staff with his dad jokes as he ordered the same meal, wasn’t there.
But his friends were.
“They filled up this entire corner of the restaurant, and they all got something similar – so he would typically get a ham and Cooper cheese omelet, hash browns on the side, no toast typically, and bacon on the side,” waitress Alyssa Black told The Independent on Sunday. “Everyone came in yesterday, and they got pretty much his meal – the bacon on the side, no toast, no sides.”
Andrea Blanco and Sheila Flynn have the full story...
Lewiston shooting victim always ate at the same cafe. Now friends pay unique tribute
12:00 , Kelly Rissman
Faces of the victims
Last week’s shootings claimed 18 lives: one was a bar manager, four were members of the deaf community, and another was a member of a youth bowling league.
The Lewiston community has hosted vigils to honour the victims, while people around the world have donated to GoFundMe pages to help pay for funeral services to assist the victim’s families.
11:00 , Kelly Rissman
Details about how Robert Card ‘punched’ his fellow officer, revealed
In mid-September, an official at the Maine National Guard requested that the sheriff’s office conduct a wellness check on Card after he punched one of his fellow officers, prompting concern that he would “snap and commit a mass shooting.”
Card and one of his friends, a fellow soldier, were apparently driving home from a casino when Card “started talking about people calling him a pedophile again.”
Card said he owned firearms and was going “to shoot up” the drill centre at the base in Saco, among other places, the report states. The soldier also relayed that Card said he was going to “get them,” which was interpreted as the people who had him committed to a mental health facility.
Card apparently also blamed the soldiers, stating the reason he was unable to buy guns — following this two-week stay — was “because of the commitment.” The soldier then “told him to knock it off because he was going to get into trouble talking about shooting up places and people,” Card punched him.
This interaction prompted the Maine National Guard to request a welfare check.
10:00 , Kelly Rissman
The deaf community event impacted in the deadly shooting
It was reported that an event organised by American Deaf Cornhole had been going on in Schemengees at the time of the attack. “American Deaf Cornhole wants to offer our deepest condolences to Maine families and friends, especially our deaf cornhole players who lost their family/friends,” the group said on Facebook.
“It is a time like this that we must come together as a community and support one another. Sending our thoughts and prayers to all affected by this tragic event. Our hearts go out to Lewiston community!”
The American Cornhole League added that such acts of violence “contradict everything we stand for”.
“We are deeply saddened by last night’s events in Lewiston, Maine and are grieving the losses suffered by the community - cornhole and non alike,” the organisation wrote.
09:00 , Kelly Rissman
WATCH: Gun store owner recalls his interaction with Robert Card when he tried to buy a gun silencer
Rick LaChapelle, owner of Coastal Defense Firearms, reflected on his encounter with Maine mass shooting suspect Robert Card. pic.twitter.com/dmskqgWKRD
— The Associated Press (@AP) October 30, 2023
08:00 , Kelly Rissman
Another missed warning signed revealed: suspected shooter spoke ‘aggressively’ about guns
NBC News spoke to Card’s former Maine Recycling Corporation coworkers, revealing yet another missed warning sign ahead of this year’s deadliest shooting.
According to the ex-colleague, Card’s behaviour became more erratic and he spoke “aggressively” about guns before he left his job. Another colleague said a supervisor was warned that Card had allegedly had made gun violence threats in the workplace, but the complaint felt like “it was swept under the rug.”
One colleague said issues started cropping up a year after Card began working at the recycling facility; Card displayed a “total mood change,” the source said.
“He irrationally snapped. We’d do good the whole day, but then would say that I touched him. He said I was sexually harassing him, calling him a pedophile,” the coworker said.
Card apparently spoke of guns frequently, including his desire to purchase a silencer — which he was ultimately unable to do. “I knew it was going to come eventually. I said, ‘One day, he’s probably going to shoot someone up,’” this colleague said. “He was bringing up guns heavily and aggressively. It was a very weird situation.”
07:00 , Kelly Rissman
Reactions to the mass shooting in the immediate aftermath
The attacks were oundly condemned by politicians and gun safety advocacy groups, as well as Maine native and author Stephen King.
President Joe Biden ordered all US flags to be flown at half-mast, writing online: “Once again, our nation mourns after another senseless and tragic mass shooting. Today, Jill and I pray for the Americans in Maine who’ve lost their lives, those in critical care, and the families, survivors, and community members enduring shock and grief.”
In her own statement, Vice President Kamala Harris called for tighter gun safety laws, telling reporters: “President Biden and I are not waiting around. Through the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, we will continue to work to save lives. “We do not have a moment to spare, nor a life to spare.”
The White House also asked newly-elected House speaker Mike Johnson to “work together” on gun legislation in the wake of the incident. “The House has a new speaker, who has said he is ready to get to work and find common ground,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in her afternoon briefing.
Earlier, Mr Johnson – who was elected on Wednesday – faced criticism after simply offering “prayers” following the mass shooting, which he described as a “horrific tragedy”.
“This is a dark time in America, we have a lot of problems and we’re really, really hopeful and prayerful. Prayer is appropriate in a time like this, that the evil can end and this senseless violence can stop,” he said. “And so that’s that’s the statement this morning on behalf of the entire House of Representatives. Everyone wants this to end and I’ll leave it there.”
Meanwhile, Republican frontrunner and former president Donald Trump made a short statement on Truth Social saying, “A terrible situation going on in Maine. At least 22 dead. It just seems to never end for the USA!”
“This heinous attack, which has robbed the lives of at least 18 Mainers and injured so many more, the worst mass shooting that the state of Maine has ever experienced — and could ever imagine,” Senator Susan Collins said at a news conference on Thursday evening.
06:00 , Kelly Rissman
What relatives have said about Robert Card
Back in January, Card’s son apparently began noticing that his father was “starting to claim that people were saying things about him, while out in public”
His ex-wife said she was “very worried about [their son] spending time with Robert, considering what may be a deteriorating mental health condition,” according to a May incident report
His sister-in-law Karen Card also claimed that he had been hearing voices recently, adding that in “the past year, he had an acute episode of mental health, and it’s been a struggle”
Three of Card’s relatives were among the first to call law enforcement to identify Card after seeing photos of him wielding a weapon
05:00 , Kelly Rissman
ICYMI: What we know about the gunman’s death
On Friday evening, Maine State Police said they found the gunman’s body in a box trailer in the overflow lot of Maine Recycling Corporation after a 48-hour-long manhunt.
The discovery came after the owner of the recycling plant reportedly called in, urging police to look at the 55 to 60 trailers in the lot. Police said they had “cleared” the area twice before getting the call from the owner, who was reportedly the shooter’s ex-boss.
The gunman is believed to have died by suicide.
“He is dead,” Maine Governor Janet Mills said at a news conference, as she thanked the officers involved in the manhunt.
Ms Mills added: “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.”
04:00 , Kelly Rissman
Scenes of Lewiston healing after the atrocity
03:00 , Kelly Rissman
President of Brady United Against Gun Violence, Kris Brown, issued a statement in the aftermath of the shooting
“No American should leave their home and fear becoming the victim of a mass shooting, but tonight, Maine families are grieving from this untold loss of life. Americans – enjoying time with friends, families and loved ones – gunned down in the most cruel and sadistic way. Worse, this shooting is not unique, as the U.S. has experienced over 500 mass shootings this year. “The slaughtering of 18 people in a matter of minutes while bowling or sharing a beer with friends is exactly why assault weapons should be banned from our communities. These weapons of war are designed for one purpose – to kill as many people as possible in the shortest amount of time, which is why they’re the preferred weapon of mass murderers. “Instead of facing this issue head-on, our elected officials are going in the wrong direction at the time Americans need them most. Relying on weak gun industry-written ‘yellow-flag’ laws will allow tragedies to continue to plague every community in our country.”
02:00 , Kelly Rissman
The unsuccessful welfare check and alert, revealed
“I would rather err on the side of caution with regards to Card since he is a capable marksman and, if he should set his mind to carry out the threats made to [the soldier], he would be able to do it,” the letter said.
After trying to find Card on 15 September, the sheriff’s officer reported not being able to locate him, despite finding a jet ski and motorcycle registered to Card at what appeared to be his home. As a result, he issued a file 6 alert, which was sent to other agencies. “The alert included a warning that Mr. Card was known to be armed and dangerous and included details of his behavior,” according to Sheriff Merry. “The alert urged that officers use extreme caution.”
On 17 September, the officer spoke to Ryan Card, the brother of the suspect, confirming that Card was able to access Ryan’s guns. Those firearms were located in a gun safe, the report said.
Ryan Card apparently told the authorities that he was working with his father to get the guns moved elsewhere, adding that he would try to ensure that his brother didn’t possess any other guns.
The File 6 alert was cancelled on 18 October, Sheriff Merry wrote.
01:00 , Kelly Rissman
GoFundMe pages launched in honour of victims
00:00 , Kelly Rissman
Remembering Joshua Seal
Joshua Seal, 36, was a well-known American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter and was hosting a community event for members of the deaf community at Schemengees Bar & Grille when the shooting unfolded.
Seal was the Director of Interpreting Services for the Pine Tree Society – an organisation which “provides Maine children and adults with disabilities the opportunities and the means to create better lives for themselves and their families.”
His wife, Elizabeth, confirmed his death in a post on Facebook calling him the “best father” to the couple’s four children.
“He was always there for them, lending an eye or a hand and going to their sporting/extracurricular activities. He always loved spending time with them, travelling, going for a day trip to the beach, or going camping for the weekend. Not only was he an amazing father, he was a wonderful husband, my best friend, and my soulmate,” Elizabeth wrote.
Seal’s mother, Michele, said her son was “the most selfless person you would ever meet.”
He is survived by his four children, aged 12, nine, seven and three, as well as his wife.
Tuesday 31 October 2023 23:00 , Kelly Rissman
Why was Card allowed to own firearms?
The information about why he was still able to own firearms remains cloudy, especially given the glaring warning signs.
Authorities previously said that his guns appeared to have been “legally purchased.”
This tragedy has brought renewed criticism over Maine’s current gun laws.
While many other states have implemented red flag laws, which allow loved ones or law enforcement to petition to a court for an order that would temporarily restrict the individual’s access to guns if the person poses a risk to himself or others, Maine has not.
Instead, the state has yellow flag laws, which require a family member to report the individual to law enforcement, who would then be taken into protective custody. Then, the individual has to be evaluated by a mental health professional, who determines whether this person poses a risk.
These laws are “very specific about an individual that’s in protective custody from law enforcement to begin with” in combination with whether law enforcement has “probable cause to believe” that the individual could be in possession “of a dangerous weapons,” Public Safety Commissioner Michael Sauschuck said.
So, he continued, “if we meet those criteria then you can take an individual in for a yellow flag assessment, a weapons restriction order assessment, and at that time your criteria change from the likelihood of serious harm the likelihood of foreseeable harm.”
Mr Sauschuck clarified last week that there had been no record that Card had been “forcibly committed for treatment,” although that detail is now under heightened scrutiny after more about his 14-day stint at a mental health facility has come out.
Jonathan Crisp, a former Army lawyer, previously told The Associated Press that when soldiers are committed involuntarily to mental health facilities, it is a “reportable” event under Army regulations, setting off a network of alerts and subsequent restrictions.
As it is supposed to work, he explained, an official notes the incident in a military database which alerts the FBI, so the agency can enter the name into a background list of people prevented from buying weapons.
“If they took him and he didn’t want to go and he refused to be admitted, it’s a slam dunk,” Mr Crisp said. “This should have been reported.”
The question of why it wasn’t remains as the investigation into the atrocity — and the events that led up to it — is ongoing.
Deputy calls Maine State Police ‘utter clowns’ for mass shooting response
Tuesday 31 October 2023 22:15 , Mike Bedigan
In a now deleted Facebook post, Sgt Jon Guay aired his grievances with the inner workings of the law enforcement operation, which at one point consisted of hundreds of officers on the hunt for suspected shooter Robert Card.
Deputy calls Maine State Police ‘utter clowns’ for mass shooting response
Tuesday 31 October 2023 22:00 , Kelly Rissman
In photos: Victims remembered at Sunday’s vigil
Tuesday 31 October 2023 21:30 , Kelly Rissman
What happened after Card’s release from a 14-day stay at a mental health facility
After two weeks in a mental health facility in July in New York following concerns from fellow soldiers about his wellbeing, Card was released. Police were asked to conduct a welfare check on Card in September after he was accused of punching a fellow soldier.
Card and the soldier were driving home from a casino when he started talking about people calling him a paedophile, the National Guard said in a statement to Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office.
“When [his friend] told him to knock it off because he was going to get into trouble talking about shooting up places and people, [he] punched him,” the statement said.
“According to [the friend], [he] said he has guns and is going to shoot up the drill center at Saco and other places … [the friend] is concerned that [he] is going to snap and commit a mass shooting.”
An Army spokesperson confirmed Card’s unit had requested a health and welfare check from the sheriff’s office.
“In September, the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s office responded to a health and welfare check requested by Sgt. 1st Class Robert Card’s unit out of an abundance of caution after the unit became concerned for his safety,” Lt Col Ruth Castro told CNN.
Tuesday 31 October 2023 21:00 , Kelly Rissman
A message from the Maine State Police about the Family Assistance Center
Starting Wednesday, November 1st, the Family Assistance Center located at the Lewiston Armory, 65 Central Ave, Lewiston will have modified hours of 10:00AM to 5:00PM.
Victims and their families directly impacted by the incidents may continue to receive resources of support and access to resources at this location.
For those who had personal effects left at the scenes you can pick those items up from the Lewiston Armory during these business hours.
Tuesday 31 October 2023 20:30 , Kelly Rissman
Chilling words from the sheriff’s office revealed
In a letter written by an officer regarding a 15 September welfare check on Robert Card, the officer lays out concerns from the Maine National Guard.
As of recent it has come to the Guard's attention that Card is having psychotic episodes where he is hearing voices that are insulting him calling him a pedophile. Card is also making threats to shoot up the Saco National Guard facility.
He had been committed over the summer for a couple of weeks due to his altered mental state but has been since released. I have been asked by the National Guard to identify any specific individuals who were concerned for Card whereas he may focus his altered aggression toward them as he has already demonstrated.
It should be noted that Card is a firearms instructor with the Guard so utmost caution must be utilized.
Tuesday 31 October 2023 20:15 , Kelly Rissman
The six missed warning signs before the shooting that beg the question: Could this have been prevented?
Almost a week after a horrifying mass shooting left 18 people dead in Lewiston, Maine, questions are mounting over whether the atrocity could have been prevented altogether.
Information continues to emerge about warning signs around suspected shooter Robert Card - including concerns raised by his family and the Army alike - stemming back months before the massacre.
The first known warning came back in May, five months before the shooting, when Card’s family alerted the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s office with concerns about his mental health and his access to guns.
In July, Card was put under psychiatric evaluation for two weeks after an incident with fellow Army soldiers.
In September, the Army Reserve contacted the sheriff’s office seeking a welfare check on Card over a fellow soldier’s concern that he would carry out a mass shooting. Authorities responded by issuing an alert to law enforcement agencies statewide which cautioned that Card was “known to be armed and dangerous” and was suffering from psychotic episodes.
That alert was cancelled exactly one week before Card allegedly opened fire on two Lewiston businesses, killing 18 people and wounding 13 others. He was found dead by apparent suicide two days later.
In the aftermath of the shooting, authorities are facing mounting pressure to explain whether they could have done more to stop the tragedy, given the warnings on record.
Read the full story...
Six missed warning signs before the Maine mass shooting explained
Tuesday 31 October 2023 20:00 , Kelly Rissman
Heartbreaking final text to Maine mass shooting victim who died trying to take down Card, revealed
Thomas “Tommy” Conrad had been planning on doing a pumpkin carving at the bowling alley for the kids in the Lewiston community before a gunman opened fire in a mass shooting that claimed the lives of 18 people.
Now, mourners are leaving Jack-o-lanterns outside Just-In-Time Recreation as a tribute for the 34-year-old manager, who was killed in the attack while trying to take down the shooter.
A GoFundMe created for Conrad’s family describes him as a man who was “devoted to his job, his game and his young daughter, Caroline.”
“He died a hero,” the campaign stated. “He put his life in harm’s way to charge the gunman and save the children who were there.”
Read the full story...
Tuesday 31 October 2023 19:30 , Kelly Rissman
Sagadahoc County Sheriff Joel Merry sheds light on concerns from family and fellow soldiers ahead of the shooting
Tuesday 31 October 2023 19:00 , Kelly Rissman
WATCH: Maine Gov Janet Mills snap at reporters asking about missed warning signs
Tuesday 31 October 2023 18:30 , Kelly Rissman
Another missed warning signed revealed: suspected shooter spoke ‘aggressively’ about guns
NBC News spoke to Card’s former Maine Recycling Corporation coworkers, revealing yet another missed warning sign ahead of this year’s deadliest shooting.
According to the ex-colleague, Card’s behaviour became more erratic and he spoke “aggressively” about guns before he left his job. Another colleague said a supervisor was warned that Card had allegedly had made gun violence threats in the workplace, but the complaint felt like “it was swept under the rug.”
One colleague said issues started cropping up a year after Card began working at the recycling facility; Card displayed a “total mood change,” the source said.
“He irrationally snapped. We’d do good the whole day, but then would say that I touched him. He said I was sexually harassing him, calling him a pedophile,” the coworker said.
Card apparently spoke of guns frequently, including his desire to purchase a silencer — which he was ultimately unable to do. “I knew it was going to come eventually. I said, ‘One day, he’s probably going to shoot someone up,’” this colleague said. “He was bringing up guns heavily and aggressively. It was a very weird situation.”
Tuesday 31 October 2023 18:00 , Kelly Rissman
Maine governor confronted on missed Lewiston shooter warnings
Governor Mills was cut off as she began to ask the reporter for clarification, with CNN’s Shimon Prokupecz raising his voice.
“Governor, you really don’t know what we’re talking about?” he asked. “Is that what you’re going to stand here and tell us? Governor, everyone here wants to know that answer.”
“It’s under investigation,” Gov Mills replied, to the objection of journalists supporting Prokupecz’s plea.
Prokupecz pressed: “We know that there is an alarming concern from the law enforcement community that activity and information here was ignored. And the simple answer is why was that done and are you concerned about that?”
“I think those kinds of facts have yet to be determined. You’re making assumptions. I’m not one to make assumptions,” the governor replied.
Read the full story...
Maine governor snaps at reporters demanding answers on shooter warnings
Tuesday 31 October 2023 17:30 , Kelly Rissman
Families of victims are split over Robert Card’s death
The families of the victims of last week’s mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine are divided over the death of suspect Robert Card, who is believed to have died by suicide, with some saying it was the “ideal outcome”, but others still desperate for answers over the tragedy.
All 18 of the victims were identified during a press conference on Friday, with the ages of the deceased ranging from 14 to 76 years old. Families have expressed relief at news of Card’s death, but said many questions will now likely remain unanswered.
Speaking to CNN, Elizabeth Seal, wife of ASL interpreter Joshua Seal, who was killed in the shootings, said that it was “important” that Card had been found.
“I wanted him to be apprehended. I wanted to ask questions that will not be answered. Why did you do this? What was the motive? Why would you hurt so many families?” she said.
Mike Bedigan has the full story...
Families of Maine shooting victims divided over shooter’s death
Tuesday 31 October 2023 17:00 , Kelly Rissman
ICYMI: The timeline
In May, family members contacted authorities, concerned about his mental health in combination with his possession of firearms.
Months before the deadly attacks, Robert Card, a US Army reservist, was reportedly held in a mental facility for two weeks over the summer. He was taken by police in July for evaluation at the urging of concerned military officials. He was then released.
In mid-September, a statewide awareness alert was issued after Card made threats against the base in Saco, Maine.
Also in mid-September, authorities attempted to conduct a welfare check on Card after prompting from the National Guard after he “made threats to shoot up the Saco National Guard facility.”
Fast forward to Wednesday, 25 October...
Minutes before 7pm on Wednesday night, shots were fired at Just-in-Time Recreation, a bowling alley on Mollison Way in Lewiston, Maine.
At 7.08pm, multiple 911 calls reported an active shooter at Schemengees Bar and Grill on Lincoln Street, just four miles from the bowling alley.
Just after 8pm, Maine State Police urged Lewiston residents to shelter in place. “Please stay inside your home with the doors locked. Law enforcement is currently investigating at multiple locations,” the department wrote.
At 8.06pm, police released a photo of the shooter to the media, and an hour and a half later, the Lewiston Police Department received a call identifying the man in photos as Card. Among the first calls were from Card’s family members, officials revealed on Saturday morning.
Two hours later, at 9.56pm, state police officers alerted that they had found a “vehicle of interest” in Lisbon at Pejepscot Boat Launch, prompting the shelter-in-place advisory to extend to Lisbon. The Lewiston Police posted a photo on Wednesday night of a white Subaru station wagon. That vehicle was registered to Card, police said. A long gun was found in the vehicle.
By Friday evening, police had found Card’s body — in a box trailer in Maine Recycling Corporation’s overflow lot. Authorities believe he took his own life. It’s not entirely clear how Card wound up at the recycling facility, but it is believed that he walked from the boat landing via a trail that linked the two locations.
Tuesday 31 October 2023 16:30 , Kelly Rissman
A letter details the incident that led up to the suspected shooter’s mental facility stay over the summer
A letter, obtained by CNN, details what led to Robert Card’s stay at a psychiatric facility in July.
On July 15 near West Point, Card and other soldiers “had gone to a convenience store to get some beer,” according to the letter.
“In the parking lot [he] accused three of them of calling him a pedophile and said he would take care of it,” it continued. “One of the soldiers who had been friends with [him] for a long time was there. [He] got in his face, shoved him, and told him to stop calling him a pedophile.”
The law enforcement source told CNN they said they calmed down Card and returned to the motel, where Card locked himself in his room and refused to communicate with others.
The following day, another soldier got the key to his room and saw him.
“[He] told me to leave him alone and tried to slam the door in my face,” the letter said. Card’s comrade then Card to a base hospital where a psychologist determined he needed further treatment, prompting a 2-week stay.
Tuesday 31 October 2023 16:00 , Kelly Rissman
What was the motive for the attack?
Perhaps the biggest question looming in the wake of the tragedy is what could have driven suspect Robert Card to execute this brutal attack?
However, Public Safety Commissioner Michael Sauschuck confirmed at an early press conference on Friday that the suspect did leave behind a mystery note after allegedly going on the killing rampage.
Officials have refused to reveal the contents of the note, hinting that it may point to a possible motive for the killings.
Police sources had previously told ABC News that a “suicide note” addressed to his son had been found inside Card’s home during a search.
The sources said the note contained the suspect’s rantings as well as some personal information such as bank account details.
As well as the note, a law enforcement official told CNN that Card’s cellphone had also been recovered.
Tuesday 31 October 2023 15:30 , Kelly Rissman
ICYMI: Who was the gunman?
Police identified 40-year-old Robert Card as the “person of interest” and later suspect in a deadly shooting.
Photos of the gunman, made public for identification, showed him wearing brown clothes and brandishing a high-powered assault-style rifle – law enforcement described the weapon as an AR-15-style rifle with a possible telescopic sight.
Officials at Saturday morning’s press conference said the first three calls that “positively identified” the gunman were from his relatives; they also said “strong mental health cloud over what happened,” and clarified that police have not found records indicating that he was “forcibly committed for treatment.”
Card served as a firearms instructor in the US Army Reserve.
He joined the US Army in 2022 and became a Sgt 1st class and Petroleum Supply Specialist. He had no combat deployments during his enlistment.
But recently, the gunman had disclosed mental health issues, citing experiences of auditory hallucinations and threats to attack the National Guard Base in Saco, according to a Maine law enforcement bulletin seen by the Associated Press.
Over the summer, he was admitted to a mental health facility for two weeks.
“I have known Rob my whole life,” Katie Card told The Daily Beast. “He is quiet but the most loving, hardworking, and kind person that I know. But in the past year, he had an acute episode of mental health, and it’s been a struggle.”
She explained that her brother-in-law had begun wearing hearing aids and was convinced he could hear people talking about him at the two locations of the shooting.
“He truly believed he was hearing people say things,” she said. “This all just happened within the last few months.”
Tuesday 31 October 2023 15:00 , Kelly Rissman
The Senate passed a relevant amendment just before the shooting
Mere hours before Robert Card, a US army reservist, allegedly began his shooting spree on Wednesday, the Senate approved an amendment that would cut down background check requirements for some veterans and service members with mental health issues.
The amendment aims to prevent veterans from losing their gun rights, and prevents the Department of Veterans Affairs from reporting certain veterans to the National Criminal Background Check system when their finances are being managed by a conservator at the VA.
Reports have suggested that Card had been hearing voices and was upset by them. Officials also said at Saturday’s press conference that there is a “strong mental health cloud over what happened,” but dismissed the theory that he had been hearing voices.
Tuesday 31 October 2023 14:30 , Kelly Rissman
More missed warning signs
The family of Robert Card had reportedly raised an alarm about his deteriorating mental health five months before the suspected gunman went on a shooting spree that killed 18 people in the small town of Lewiston, Maine.
Authorities on Monday said that Card’s “concerned” family had alerted the local sheriff about his mental health while in possession of firearms in May this year.
Sheriff Joel Merry said the Sagadohoc County Sheriff’s Office contacted the officials from Card’s army reserve unit, who confirmed they would talk with him and ensure he received the necessary medical care.
After the shooting killed dozens, law enforcement looked for him for days until they eventually found his body in a box trailer. He appeared to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Tuesday 31 October 2023 14:00 , Kelly Rissman
Remembering the victims
A bar manager, four deaf friends and a teenage bowler are among the 18 victims who were formally identified by police as victims of the Maine mass shooting.
The ages of those caught up in the violence ranged from 14 to 76 years old. Some who died reportedly put themselves in the line of fire to protect others.
Just before 7pm on Wednesday 25 October, the gunman entered Just In Time Recreation – a popular, family-friendly establishment– and opened fire on the innocent victims inside. Seven people including one female and six males died in the attack at the bowling alley, before the gunman moved on to his second target the Schemengees Bar & Grille Restaurant.
Late on Friday evening the body of 40-year-old Robert Card, the man sought in connection with the killings, was found.
Officials said that the US Army reservist and certified firearms instructor had recently made threats to carry out a shooting at a National Guard facility and had reported mental health issues, including auditory hallucinations.
Here is a list of the victims as identified by police, as put together by Andrea Cavallier, Rachel Sharp, Mike Bedigan and Ariana Baio:
‘Innocent people’ enjoying their Wednesday night: The Maine shooting victims
Tuesday 31 October 2023 13:30 , Kelly Rissman
The ‘difficult corner’ Republicans have found themselves in regarding guns
The interview illustrates well the difficult corner where Republicans now find themselves — simultaneously pushing for the government to have more power against individuals in some areas and less power in others. And unable to risk the political consequences of supporting reforms to gun legislation, the party finds itself in the wilderness when attempting to offer meaningful responses to mass shootings, John Bowden reports.
Read the full story...
Ron DeSantis spins contradictory gun views after Maine shooting
Maine gunman was blocked from buying silencer months before shooting
Tuesday 31 October 2023 13:00 , Martha McHardy
Maine shooting gunman Robert Card was blocked from buying a silencer for his rifle three months before his violent rampage, according to reports.
The gunman was prevented from buying the sound suppressor at a local firearms store after he revealed he was in a mental health facility, the owner of the store told ABC News.
“He came in and filled out the form, he checked off a box that incriminated himself saying that he was in an institution,” Rick LaChapelle, owner of Coastal Defense Firearms, said. “Our staff was fantastic, let him finish filling out the form, and said, ‘I’m sorry, Mr Card, we cannot give you this… at this point in time, we cannot release this silencer to you because of the answers that you’ve given us.”
Martha McHardy reports:
Maine gunman was blocked from buying silencer months before shooting
Victims of the Maine shooting: Maxx Hathaway
Tuesday 31 October 2023 12:00 , Ariana Baio
Maxx Hathaway, 34, was killed in the mass shooting that took place in Lewiston last week.
Hathaway was described as “goofy” and “down-to-earth” by his sister, Kelsay Hathaway, in a GoFundMe description. She said her brother loved to joke around and was uplifting even in difficult times.
According to Kelsay, her brother was a full-time stay-at-home dad.
Hathaway is survived by his daughter and his wife, who is pregnant with the couple’s second child.
Victims of the Maine shooting: Keith Macneir
Tuesday 31 October 2023 11:00 , Ariana Baio
Keith Macneir, 64, was visiting his son when gunfire broke out at Schemengees Bar & Grille.
His son, Breslin Macneir is Macneir’s only child.
Macneir’s niece, Grace Chilton, said Macneir’s death is an “overwhelming burden” for Breslin and began a GoFundMe to raise money to support Breslin.
“Keith was the friendliest & kindest guy in any room – his loss will leave a huge hole in the lives of many, many people,” Grace wrote.
Verified GoFundMe fundraisers for victims of Maine shooting
Tuesday 31 October 2023 10:00 , Ariana Baio
GoFundMe has released a list of the official verified fundraising pages for the families of several victims who were killed in a mass shooting on Wednesday.
Here is a list of the official donation pages:
Victims of the Maine shooting: Steven Vozzella
Tuesday 31 October 2023 09:00 , Ariana Baio
Steven Vozzella, 45, was also part of the gathering of deaf people playing cornhole at Schemengees bar that night.
His brother Nick Vozzella confirmed to ABC News that he was killed in the shooting. Tribute was paid to Mr Vozella by the National Association of Letter Carriers, which said it was “heartbroken” by the news of his death.
A statement from NALC President Brian L Renfroe read: “Brother Vozzella was only 45 years old. He had much more life to live before it was stolen from him in an all-too-common senseless act of gun violence. Stephen was out enjoying a game of cornhole with friends on Wednesday evening.
“On behalf of NALC, I send my deepest sympathies to Brother Vozzella’s family, friends and colleagues. We mourn the loss of Stephen and all the innocent victims of this tragedy. Our hearts are with Stephen’s loved ones, all of those affected and the entire town of Lewiston.
Mr Renfroe added: “Any life lost to gun violence is one too many. The members of NALC and all Americans deserve to feel safe while on the job, spending time with their families and friends, and in their everyday lives.
“The epidemic of gun violence in this country must end. It is time for lawmakers to take action to protect Americans from the horrific incidents of gun violence that continue to traumatize communities and cause tragic loss of life across the country.”
The NALC is a union representing city delivery letter carriers employed by the US Postal Service.
Victims of the Maine shooting: Ron Morin
Tuesday 31 October 2023 08:00 , Ariana Baio
Ronald “Ron” Morin, 55, died during the Maine mass shooting.
Morin’s family paid tribute to him in a Facebook post, writing: “Rest in Paradise, Ronnie. “This smile and your energy will forever be loved and missed.”
Morin’s relative Cecile Francoeur Martin told the Bangor Daily News that he was an “upbeat guy”.
“He was just always smiling, happy,” she said.
“Just one of those people that if you are having a bad day, he was going to make your day better just by his presence.”
Rosa Storer, a stylist at Taboo Hair Design in Lewiston where he had his hair cut for 25 years, called him “an upstanding man with a lot of joy in his heart”.
“He had the best jokes,” she added.
Victims of the Maine shooting: Bill Brackett
Tuesday 31 October 2023 07:00 , Ariana Baio
Bill Brackett was also attending the community event for deaf people at Schemengees Bar & Grill on Wednesday night.
His father, William Brackett, told ABC News that the group was playing cornhole when the gunman targeted the second location.
Brackett’s friend Nick Perry paid tribute to him on Facebook, writing: “I’ll never forget the laughs I had you in when I was trying to learn some sign language at cornhole.”
Victims of the Maine shooting: Michael Deslauriers and Jason Walker
Tuesday 31 October 2023 05:00 , Ariana Baio
Two friends Michael Deslauriers and Jason Walker died saving their family members from the gunfire and then charging at the shooter, it has been revealed.
Deslauriers’ father, Michael Deslauriers Sr, said that his son and Walker were at the bowling alley on Wednesday night when the shooting began.
In a heartbreaking post on the Sabattus Historical Society’s Facebook page, Deslauriers described how the two men leaped into action to try to save others and stop the killings.
“My son Michael Deslauriers II and his dearest friend Jason Walker were murdered last night at the bowling alley. They made sure their wives and several young children were undercover then they charged the shooter.”
Maine governor says she ‘breathed a sigh of relief’ when gunman was found
Tuesday 31 October 2023 04:00 , Ariana Baio
Maine Governor Janet Mills said that she “breathed a sigh of relief” once police found the gunman, Robert Card, deceased on Friday.
During a press conference on Monday afternoon, Ms Mills said that the discovery of the shooter meant that residents of Lewiston and other parts of Maine were safe from the man who is thought to have carried out the mass shooting that left 18 people dead.
Ms Mills also ordered all flags in Maine to remain lowered until 17 November and announced mental health resources would be available for the public to utilise.
Victims of the Maine shooting: Joshua Seal
Tuesday 31 October 2023 02:00 , Ariana Baio
Joshua Seal, 36, was a well-known American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter. Seal worked for the Pine Tree Society and was hosting a community event for members of the deaf community in Schemengees Bar in Lewiston when the shooting unfolded.
His wife, Elizabeth, confirmed his death in a post on Facebook.
“For those of you who knew him, first and foremost, he was the world’s BEST father to our four pups. He was always there for them, lending an eye or a hand and going to their sporting/extracurricular activities.
“He always loved spending time with them, traveling, going for a day trip to the beach, or going camping for the weekend. Not only was he an amazing father, he was a wonderful husband, my best friend, and my soulmate.
“He was also a wonderful boss, an incredible interpreter, a great friend, a loving son, brother, uncle, and grandson. He loved his family and always put them first. That is what he will always be remembered for. We love and miss you so so much already, Joshua Alfred Seal. Forever & Always, No Matter What…”
Victims of the Maine shooting: Bob and Lucy Violette
Tuesday 31 October 2023 01:00 , Ariana Baio
Bob Violette, a 76-year-old retired Sears mechanic and avid bowler, was identified by his daughter-in-law Cassandra as one of the victims, she told the Portland Press Herald.
Mr Violette, who was a native of Lewiston and ran a youth bowling league, was reportedly killed trying to protect the kids he was responsible for on Wednesday night.
Both he and his wife Lucy were keen bowlers, having started the youth bowling league at Sparetime Recreation, for which Mr Violette was recently inducted into the Maine Bowling Hall of Fame.
“He wouldn’t let you walk out the door without giving him a hug, and a kiss on the cheek. He was just there for everything,” Cassandra said.
She said he had a special bond with his grandkids and was a doting husband to his wife Lucy, who was injured in the shooting. However, her condition is unknown.
“His first thought every day was her,” Cassandra added.
Lucy Violette was later confirmed to have also died following the shooting, during Friday’s press conference.
Maine shooting survivor reveals how he hid down bowling alley lane amid rampage
Tuesday 31 October 2023 00:00 , Rachel Sharp
A man who survived the horror mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, has revealed how he hid down a bowling alley lane in a desperate bid to escape the gunman.
Brandon told The Associated Press that he was at the Sparetime Recreation bowling alley on Wednesday night when gunfire suddenly erupted in the family-friendly establishment.
“We were inside, just a normal night of bowling. Out of nowhere he just came in and there was a loud pop,” he said.
At first, Brandon said he mistook the noise for balloons popping before he turned and saw the gunman brandishing a rifle inside the bowling alley.
Fearing for his safety, he said he ran down the lane and slid into the machinery.
“I thought it was a balloon, I had my back turned to the door,” he said.
“And as soon as I turned and saw it was not a balloon, he was holding a weapon, I just booked it down the lane and I slid basically in where the pins are and climbed on the machine.”
Brandon said he heard around 10 gunshots ring out and that the shooter came within around 15 feet of him.
“He was close, very close,” he said.
Families of Maine shooting victims divided over Robert Card death
Monday 30 October 2023 23:00 , Ariana Baio
The families of the victims of last week’s mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine are divided over the death of suspect Robert Card, with some saying it was the “ideal outcome”, but others still desperate for answers over the tragedy.
A major police manhunt ended on Friday evening more than 48 hours after the gunman attacked two sites in the city of Lewiston, killing 18 people and wounding 13 more. The gunman was found dead in a woodland area near where the shootings took place.
He is believed to have died by suicide
Speaking to CNN, Elizabeth Seal, wife of ASL interpreter Joshua Seal, who was killed in the shootings, said that it was “important” that Card had been found.
“I wanted him to be apprehended. I wanted to ask questions that will not be answered. Why did you do this? What was the motive? Why would you hurt so many families?” she said.
On Card’s death, she added “It’s important that he was found and he’s gone.”
Among those also killed in the shootings were Bill Young and his 14-year-old son Aaron Young, who were caught up in the violence at the Just-In-Time bowling alley. Young’s brother Rob Young told CNN that Card’s death was the “ideal outcome”.
Mike Bedigan reports:
Families of Maine shooting victims divided over Robert Card death
Victims of the Maine shooting: Tommy Conrad
Monday 30 October 2023 22:00 , Ariana Baio
Thomas “Tommy” Conrad, 34, worked as a manager at the bowling alley where the first shooting took place.
His father, Timothy Conrad, confirmed that he was killed in the attack to ABC News. Mr Conrad leaves behind a nine-year-old daughter.
Governor of Maine avoid questions about gunman’s prior history
Monday 30 October 2023 21:30 , Ariana Baio
When confronted about the Maine gunman’s history with law enforcement and mental health problems, Maine Governor Janet Mills gave a vague answer before swiftly moving on from the question.
During a press conference on Monday, reporters asked Ms Mills about details regarding reports that law enforcement officials were aware that Robert Card had made threats against a military facility and had been admitted to a psychiatric hospital for auditory hallucinations.
Law enforcement agencies were supposedly made aware of the gunman in September when an alert was sent to all agencies about him.
However, the gunman was still able to obtain a firearm and eventually committed a mass murder in Lewiston.
But when confronted by the topic, Ms Mills told a reporter: “You’re reporting on reports.”
She assured people they would be conducting a thorough investigation of the matter.
“Those questions are important I can assure you they can be answered in due course, as police conduct all appropriate interviews and determine the facts of the case,” Ms Mills said.
Victims of the Maine shooting: Arthur Strout
Monday 30 October 2023 21:00 , Ariana Baio
Arthur Strout, a 42-year-old father-of-five, was killed at Schemengees Bar and Grille after telling his father he was going to stay for a couple more games.
Arthur Barnard told WCVB that he had been at the bar with his son that night and had left just 10 minutes before the shooting began.
“I left 10 minutes before this happened. He was supposed to leave with me and he decided he wanted to stay for a couple more games,” he said.
He added: “People loved him. They just loved him.”
Lewiston Police Department thank resources for help during manhunt
Monday 30 October 2023 20:30 , Ariana Baio
Victims of the Maine shooting: Tricia Asselin
Monday 30 October 2023 20:00 , Ariana Baio
Tricia Asselin, 53, worked part-time at Just-In-Time Recreation and was bowling on Wednesday night when the gunman came in and opened fire, according to CNN.
Her brother DJ Johnson told the outlet: “What I’m told is that when it all started happening, she ran up to the counter and started to call 911, and that’s when she was shot.
“That was just her. She wasn’t going to run (away). She was going to try and help.”
Mr Johnson said that his sister was “the rock” of his family. He added that his other sister was also at the bowling alley but was able to escape.
Ms Asselin’s sister Bobbi Lynn-Nichols told People magazine “We were just running, and I kept saying: ‘I want my sister out of there’. And she called 911 and put herself in his way by trying to get help. She’s a hero. My sister is a hero.”
Mystery note left behind by Maine mass shooting suspect revealed
Monday 30 October 2023 19:30 , Rachel Sharp
Maine mass shooting suspect Robert Card left behind a mystery note after he allegedly went on a killing rampage at a bowling alley and bar in the small town of Lewiston.
Maine’s Public Safety Commissioner Michael Sauschuck confirmed in a press conference on Friday that a note had been recovered in the wake of Wednesday’s attacks which left 18 victims dead and another 13 wounded.
However, Mr Sauschuck refused to reveal the contents of the note, hinting that it may point to a possible motive for the killings.
The revelation came hours before authorities found Card’s body in a wooded area close to a recycling area where he used to work. He appeared to have died from a self-inflicted wound.
Police sources had previously told ABC News that a “suicide note” addressed to his son had been found inside Mr Card’s home during a search.
The sources said the note contained the suspect’s rantings as well as some personal information such as bank account details.
As well as the note, a law enforcement official told CNN that Mr Card’s cellphone had also been recovered.
Details of the note come as authorities admitted that they still don’t know where the accused mass killer is almost 36 hours on from the shootings.
Divers had joined the search, scouring the waterways close to the boat landing where Card’s vehicle was found abandoned late on Wednesday night.
Victims of the Maine shooting: Bryan McFarlane
Monday 30 October 2023 19:00 , Ariana Baio
Bryan MacFarlane was confirmed death by his sister. McFarlane was one of the participants in a deaf cornhole tournament that was happening in Schemengees bar when the second shooting incident occurred.
His sister told CNN that Mr McFarlane usually went to the bar on Wednesdays for weekly cornhole sessions and to hang out with his friends.
He was one of the first people in the state of Maine to get his commercial trucking license. He worked as a truck driver and loved riding his motorcycle and playing with his dog, his sister said.
Mr McFarlane’s stepmother, Catherine Dunn, also told CNN she was also concerned about his dog.
“He takes his dog everywhere,” she said. “I don’t know if his dog is in his truck at Schemengees’ bar, still. Or if he’s at his house, or if he’s still alive.”
Lewiston residents brave the streets amid manhunt after shelter-in-place lifted
Monday 30 October 2023 18:30 , Ariana Baio
Traffic surged back onto the streets of Lewiston on Friday night after authorities rescinded a shelter-in-place order implemented when an armed suspect killed 18, injured 13 more and vanished without a trace two days earlier.
Andrea Blanco and Sheila Flynn report:
Lewiston locals brave the streets after shelter-in-place order lifted
Locals remember victims at a community vigil
Monday 30 October 2023 18:00 , Andrea Blanco and Sheila Flynn
Locals were fortifying themselves for more memorials and upcoming funerals; thousands of Mainers from near and far headed to a vigil Sunday night at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul. The church holds 2,200, but authorities had already set up a large outdoor screen on church grounds to deal with overflow before services began.
Almost everyone walking into the Basilica had some personal connection to the tragedy in the tight-knit New England community.
Greg Hird, 38, had played in the same bowling league as Tricia Asselin, the sole woman killed in the massacre, and regularly bowled with her. When he heard the news of the shooting, he called her phone eight times — but no one answered.
“She was just the greatest person ever,” said Mr Hird, weeping as he spoke about his friend. “No matter what was going on in her life, she would give everything back. Truly the sweetest woman I’ve ever met.”
Lewiston resident tried to save children during massacre
Monday 30 October 2023 17:30 , Andrea Blanco and Sheila Flynn
Thomas Giberti, the 69-year-old former manager of the bowling alley where a Maine shooter began a shooting rampage that killed 18, astonishingly left a Lewiston-area hospital on Saturday just days after the attack – carrying seven new bullet wounds and a deep grief for friends massacred.
“He’s been through a few surgeries over the last couple days,” his nephew, Will Bourgault, told The Independent. “It’s pretty much a miracle, honestly. He was shot four times in his left leg and three times in his right leg.”
Mr Giberti, who regularly spends evenings at Just-In-Time Recreation and knows the bowling alley intimately as a former employee, had stepped away from the lanes in the moments before the shooting started – but returned to find flashes of light and quickly realised an attack was underway.
He was trying to shepherd children at the bowling alley to safety but was struck by gunfire in the back doorway, his nephew said. Instinctively swinging his legs out of the way, he managed to pull himself against a corner and sat there until a paramedic found him and made a tourniquet with Mr Giberti’s own belt to stop the bleeding.
“He’s a very humble person and doesn’t like the spotlight at all,” Mr Bourgault told The Independent. “He said, ‘I’m not a hero, I just reacted,’ ... And I told him, ‘Tom, that’s what heroes do. You could have run out the back door yourself, but you didn’t. You chose to go into the bowling alley where the gunfire was coming from and get those kids.’”
Maine police were warned about gunman weeks before rampage
Monday 30 October 2023 17:00 , Ariana Baio
A statewide awareness alert was issued in mid-September to watch for Robert Card after he made threats against a National Guard base in Saco, Maine.
The Sagadahoc County sergeant learned that a fellow guardsman had raised concerns that Card would “snap and commit a mass shooting”.
A statewide awareness alert was issued in mid-September asking every law enforcement agency in the state to watch for the suspected gunman – but police were unable to locate him.
Kelly Rissman and Martha McHardy report:
Maine police reveal major warning sign ahead of Lewiston shooting
Maine State Police release victim’s personal property
Monday 30 October 2023 16:30 , Ariana Baio
On Monday, the Maine State Police said they were able to release personal property belonging to the victims of the mass shooting that occurred last week.
Law enforcement officials are asking people to go to the Family Assistance Center at the Lewiston Armory to pick up any property.
