LEWISTON, United States: The suspect behind the mass shooting that left 18 dead in Lewiston, Maine was found dead late Friday, according to law enforcement authorities. The discovery concludes a nearly 48-hour manhunt that had put the community under a shelter-in-place order.
According to a new release by Philippines News Agency, Robert Card, 40, was found near a recycling facility close to where the shootings occurred, with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Police Chief David St. Pierre expressed relief at a news conference, stating, "Our community can now breathe a sigh of relief." The shooting rampage began late Wednesday at a local bowling alley and later moved to an area bar, where Card reportedly opened fire with a high-powered sniper rifle, killing 18 people and wounding 13 others.
The manhunt for Card mobilized hundreds of law enforcement officers from local, state, and federal agencies. The community of 37,000 residents was gripped by fear during the search. "I'm breathing a sigh of relief tonight knowing that Robert Card is no longer a threat to anyone," said Governor Janet Mills.
Though the manhunt is over, law enforcement agencies are continuing their investigations to piece together the full details of the incident. "Now is a time to heal, and with this search concluded, I know that law enforcement continues to fully investigate all the facts so we can bring what closure we can to the victims and their families," Governor Mills added.
According to the Gun Violence Archive, an online registry of violent gun occurrences, this was the 567th mass shooting in the United States in 2023 and the deadliest to date this year. "Tonight, the city of Lewiston and the state of Maine begin to move forward on what will be a long and difficult road to healing, but we will heal together," Governor Mills concluded.