Western Reader
The small town of Lewiston, Maine, formerly bustling with life, has become a ghost town following a tragic mass shooting. The suspect, 40-year-old Robert Card, is still on the loose, leaving the community in fear and uncertainty. Numerous FBI agents and Maine state troopers are tirelessly searching for Card, who is reported to be mentally ill.
Card, who was known to be obsessed with the game of cornhole, had recently been fired from his job at a recycling plant. Prior to the massacre, he had been living close to his parents, brother, and sister-in-law in the town of Bowdoin. Neighbors describe their arrangement as a compound, where gun activity was common.
Live updates: Maine shootings rampage found dead, sources say https://t.co/akYU6MjJg3
— SHO’NUFF (@IAMSHO_NUFF) October 28, 2023
The suspect’s white Subaru station wagon was found abandoned at a boat ramp on the Androscoggin River. Divers are now searching the water for any signs of him, and the power company operating two dams in the river has agreed to slow the current to aid in the search. Despite these efforts, law enforcement officials admit they still have no information on Card’s whereabouts.
The tragedy occurred when Card opened fire at a bowling alley and a bar in Lewiston, resulting in the deaths of 18 people. Among the victims were members of a deaf cornhole tournament who were gathered at the bar. The senseless act of violence has left the community devastated and in shock.
At Least 22 Dead And Dozens Wounded In Mass Shootings In Mainehttps://t.co/OxrXKCFX6L pic.twitter.com/CLquPppywJ
— Forbes (@Forbes) October 26, 2023
Card’s sister-in-law, Katie O’Neill, released a statement expressing the family’s devastation. She stated that the family is fully cooperating with law enforcement and their thoughts are with the victims’ families. However, there are still questions regarding a suicide note left by Card for his son and whether the suspect’s family is assisting in the investigation.
The manhunt for Card has been extensive, with law enforcement personnel searching forests, waterways, and small towns in the rural areas of Maine where the shootings occurred. Schools, doctor’s offices, and grocery stores have closed, and residents are staying behind locked doors, even in cities as far as 50 miles away from the crime scenes.
This tragic event highlights the urgent need for mental health reform. Card’s family reported that he had an acute mental health episode, hearing voices and behaving schizophrenically. He had been committed to a mental health facility for two weeks last summer after voicing threats to shoot up a military base. This raises concerns about the adequacy of mental health services and the necessity for more effective interventions.
As the search for Card continues, the entire country is urged to remain vigilant. The tragedy in Maine serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of untreated mental illness and the urgent need for comprehensive mental health reform.
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