Community Begins Healing as Maine Shooting Suspect Found Dead

In a culmination to a harrowing week, the suspect of the devastating mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, was found dead on Friday evening, ending a two-day intense manhunt. The suspect, Robert Card, a 40-year-old US Army reservist, was accused of a shooting spree that claimed 18 lives and injured 13 others at a bowling alley and a restaurant on Wednesday.

Body Found by the River

State Public Safety Commissioner Michael Sauschuck informed the press that Card’s body was discovered near the Androscoggin River in the Lisbon Falls area, approximately 10 miles from Lewiston. The preliminary examination suggests a self-inflicted gunshot wound as the cause of death.

Maine Governor Janet Mills expressed relief at the news, emphasizing that the community can now start the healing process.

“Tonight, the city of Lewiston and the state of Maine begin to move forward on a long road to healing,”

said Gov. Mills in a press briefing.

The discovery of Card’s body unfolded near a recycling center, from which he was recently terminated. Earlier this week, authorities found Card’s abandoned vehicle near a boat launch in the Lisbon area, which broadened the scope of the search to waterways.

The tragic event on Wednesday night marked the deadliest mass shooting in the US since last year’s massacre at a school in Uvalde, Texas. The victims ranged in age from 14 to 76, showcasing the indiscriminate nature of the violence.
Investigations into Card’s actions revealed that he had legally purchased the firearm used in the massacre just days before a psychiatric evaluation in July. This information emerged amidst a backdrop of reports about Card’s erratic behavior at Camp Smith in Cortlandt, New York, where he served. Following an incident at the base, Card was admitted to a nearby hospital for suspected intoxication.

Authorities Have Yet to Announce Motive

Authorities are yet to announce a definitive motive behind the shootings, but emerging theories suggest a personal crisis might have precipitated the horrific act. Sources informed CNN that Card recently ended a relationship with a long-term girlfriend, and the targeted locations were places the couple frequented. Investigators are also delving into an angle where Card’s ex-girlfriend had signed up for a tournament at one of the venues on the fateful night.
The community is still reeling from the aftermath, as shelter-in-place orders were only lifted on Friday afternoon following the discovery of Card’s body. The manhunt disrupted the lives of residents across a 700-square-mile area, where schools, businesses, and facilities remained closed.

Card’s military background, particularly his expertise in firearms, accentuated the threat level, prompting a significant law enforcement response. Despite his military training, Army spokesperson Bryce Dubee clarified that Card was not trained as a firearms instructor by the Army.

As Lewiston and its surrounding communities embark on a path of recovery, this incident serves as a grim reminder of the complex interplay of personal, societal, and systemic factors that can culminate in unthinkable tragedy. Authorities continue their thorough investigation to provide closure to the families of the victims and the community at large.