Maine mass killing suspect has been discovered lifeless, ending search that put complete state on edge

LEWISTON, Maine (AP) — The Military reservist who opened hearth in a bowling alley after which at a bar in Lewiston, Maine, killing 18 folks, was discovered lifeless Friday from a self-inflicted gunshot, ending an intensive two-day search that had the state on edge.

Robert Card, a firearms teacher who grew up within the space, was discovered lifeless in close by Lisbon Falls, Gov. Janet Mills stated at a Friday evening information convention.

“Like many individuals I’m respiration a sigh of aid tonight understanding that Robrert Card is not a risk to anybody,” Mills stated.

Commissioner of Maine Division of Public Security Mike Sauschuck stated Card was discovered at 7:45 p.m. close to the Androscoggin River, about 8 miles (13 kilometers) southeast of the place the second capturing occurred Wednesday night. He declined to expose the situation however an official advised The Related Press the physique was at a recycling middle from which Card just lately was fired.

The official was not licensed to debate particulars of the investigation publicly and spoke to on situation of anonymity.

Leo Madden, who stated he ran Maine Recycling Corp. for many years, stated Card had labored there for a few years however stated he couldn’t recall the dates and didn’t know if Card was “fired or didn’t present up.”

“He was a superb worker,” Madden advised the AP, including that nothing concerning the man stood out to him whereas he was an worker.

Mills stated she had referred to as President Joe Biden to alert him that Card was lifeless.

“Tonight we’re grateful that Lewiston and surrounding communities are protected after spending excruciating days hiding of their properties,” Biden stated in a press release. He added that “Individuals mustn’t must stay like this” and referred to as on Congress to take motion on gun violence.

Card, 40, of Bowdoin, Maine, was a U.S. Military reservist who underwent a psychological well being analysis in mid-July after he started performing erratically throughout coaching, a U.S. official advised The Related Press.

Card had been sought because the Wednesday evening shootings, and homicide warrants have been issued in opposition to him.

A bulletin despatched to police throughout the nation shortly after the assault stated Card had been dedicated to a psychological well being facility for 2 weeks this previous summer season after “listening to voices and threats to shoot up” a navy base.

A U.S. official stated Card was coaching with the Military Reserve’s third Battalion, 304th Infantry Regiment in West Level, New York, when commanders grew to become involved about him.

State police took Card to the Keller Military Group Hospital at West Level for analysis, in accordance with the official, who was not licensed to publicly talk about the knowledge and spoke to the AP on situation of anonymity

Authorities had scoured the woods and lots of of acres of family-owned property, despatched dive groups with sonar to the underside of a river and scrutinized a potential suicide be aware Friday within the second day of their intensive search.

Authorities lifted their shelter in place order Friday night, practically 48 hours after the shootings.

The names and footage of the 16 males and a couple of females who died have been launched at an earlier information convention Friday the place Sauschuck requested for a second of silence. Their ages ranged from 14 to 76.

Legislation enforcement officers had stated they hadn’t seen Card since his car was left at a ship ramp Wednesday shortly after the shootings.

The town held an internet vigil Friday evening with native clergy members, prayer and music. Residents expressed their shock and ache in chat postings, describing themselves as indignant, grieving, drained and heartbroken. These watching at dwelling have been urged to gentle candles.

One poster, Victoria, wrote: “I misplaced 2 folks that I cared really about and a detailed household buddy that’s at present preventing for his life in ICU. My coronary heart’s shattered.”

Police and different regulation enforcement officers have been noticed in a number of areas across the area on Friday. Divers searched the water close to a ship launch in Lisbon, and a farming enterprise in the identical city. At factors all through the day, police autos have been seen dashing by a number of cities, lights flashing and sirens blaring.

A gun was present in Card’s automotive, which was found at a ship ramp, and federal brokers have been testing it to find out if it was used within the capturing, two regulation enforcement officers advised the AP. The officers weren’t licensed to publicly talk about particulars of the investigation and spoke to the AP on the situation of anonymity. Authorities have stated publicly that the shooter used at the very least one rifle. They haven’t launched some other particulars, together with how the suspect obtained the firearm.

Authorities discovered a suicide be aware at a house related to Card on Thursday that was addressed to his son, the regulation enforcement officers stated. They stated it didn’t present any particular motive for the capturing. Authorities additionally recovered Card’s cellphone within the dwelling, making a search extra difficult as a result of authorities routinely use telephones to trace suspects, the officers stated.

Federal brokers carried out a number of searches of properties related to Card on Thursday, gathering various objects, together with electronics, the officers stated. Investigators are additionally analyzing Card’s monetary data and reviewing his social media posts, writings and his psychological well being historical past, they stated.

The Playing cards have lived in Bowdoin for generations, neighbors stated, and varied family members personal lots of of acres within the space. The household owned the native sawmill and years in the past donated the land for an area church.

Members of the family of Card advised federal investigators that he had just lately mentioned listening to voices and have become extra targeted on the bowling alley and bar, in accordance with the regulation enforcement officers who spoke on situation of anonymity. When he was hospitalized in July in New York, Card had advised navy officers he had been listening to voices and stated he needed to hurt different troopers, the officers stated.

Police stated Thursday that Card can be charged with 18 counts of homicide.

The victims of the shootings embrace Bob Violette, 76, a retiree who was teaching a youth bowling league and was described as devoted, approachable and type. Auburn Metropolis Councilor Leroy Walker advised information shops that his son, Joe, a supervisor on the bar and grill, died going after the shooter with a butcher knife. Peyton Brewer-Ross was a devoted pipefitter at Bathtub Iron Works whose dying leaves a gaping void within the lives of his associate, younger daughter and mates, members of his union stated.

The supervisor of the youth bowling league vowed that the league would survive regardless of the devastating grief members have been feeling.

The Maine Instructional Heart for the Deaf stated the shootings killed at the very least 4 members of their group, a lot of whom have been ardent advocates for the deaf and laborious of listening to.

The assaults surprised a state of just one.3 million folks that has one of many nation’s lowest murder charges: 29 killings in all of 2022. Mills stated Friday that many Maine residents will know somebody who died.

Faculties, public buildings and plenty of companies had remained closed Friday. Bates Faculty in Lewiston canceled lessons and postponed the inauguration of the varsity’s first Black president.

Authorities had banned searching in a number of communities, in a state the place it’s immensely widespread. Nevertheless, following affirmation of Card’s dying, a public security alert was issued that introduced: “The search is over for Mr. Card. The warning is over. Looking might resume.”

The shootings mark the thirty sixth mass killing in the US this yr, in accordance with a database maintained by The Related Press and USA At this time in partnership with Northeastern College.

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Ramer reported from Harmony, New Hampshire, Whittle from Portland, Maine, and Smith from Bowdoin, Maine. Related Press journalists Jake Bleiberg in Portland; Robert Bukaty and Robert Bumsted in Lewiston; David R. Martin in Bowdoin; Michael Balsamo in New York; Darlene Superville and Lolita Baldor in Washington, D.C.; Michael Casey in Boston; Kathy McCormack in Harmony, New Hampshire; Jeffrey Collins in Columbia, South Carolina, and Related Press researcher Rhonda Shafner in New York contributed to this report.