Lewiston US Authorities Conduct Intensive Search for Army Reservist Accused of Shooting 18 People

Authorities in Lewiston, US are conducting an intensive search for an Army reservist accused of fatally shooting 18 people and wounding 13 at a bowling alley and a bar. Dive teams with sonar have been sent to the river, while the woods and family-owned property are being scoured.

In a horrific incident that has left the city of Lewiston, Maine in shock and grief, an Army reservist is accused of fatally shooting 18 individuals and injuring 13 others at a local bowling alley and bar. The suspect, identified as Robert Card, aged 40 with firearms training, has been missing since the incident on Wednesday.

The authorities have been conducting an intensive search operation to locate Card. Hundreds of acres of family-owned property were scoured along with extensive woods in the vicinity. Dive teams equipped with sonar technology were dispatched to explore river bottoms while a possible suicide note was also scrutinized by investigators.

Shelter Order Lifted Amidst Ongoing Investigation

Nearly after two days post-incident, authorities lifted their shelter-in-place order on Friday evening. State Public Safety Commissioner Mike Sauschuck released the names and pictures of victims during a press conference where he asked for a moment's silence. The deceased include 16 males and two females ranging from ages 14 to 76.

Suspect's Vehicle Found; Gun Under Examination

A vehicle belonging to Card was found abandoned at a boat ramp shortly after the shootings but there has been no sighting of him since then. A gun discovered in his car is being tested by federal agents to ascertain if it was used in the shooting spree.

Suicide Note Recovered; No Clear Motive Yet

A suicide note addressed to his son was found at one of Card’s residences but it did not reveal any specific motive behind his deadly actions. His cellphone too was recovered complicating tracking efforts as phones are routinely used for this purpose.

Family Members Reveal Disturbing Details about Suspect

Family members of Card disclosed that he had been hearing voices and had developed an unusual focus on the bowling alley and bar. He was also reported to have expressed a desire to harm other soldiers during his hospitalization in New York in July.

Victims Remembered; Community Stunned

The victims of this horrific incident include individuals from various walks of life, all remembered for their kindness, dedication, and advocacy work. The news has left the state's residents shocked as Maine has one of the country’s lowest homicide rates with 29 killings recorded in 2022.

Schools and Businesses Remain Closed

In light of these tragic events, schools, public buildings, and many businesses remained closed on Friday. Bates College in Lewiston canceled classes while Sabattus gas station cashiers urged customers to go home safely.

Mass Killings Statistics

This incident marks the 36th mass killing in the United States this year according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University.

In conclusion, as authorities continue their search for Robert Card amidst hundreds of tips pouring in from citizens, Lewiston along with its neighboring towns remains on high alert. While there are no clear motives behind Card's actions yet, investigations into his mental health history alongside scrutiny of his social media posts are underway hoping it will shed some light on this dreadful act that has left an indelible scar on Maine's community.