A massive manhunt is underway in Maine after 18 people were killed and at least 13 others were injured in Lewiston on Wednesday night, Oct. 25 in a mass shooting. Local, state and federal law enforcement agencies are still searching for the suspect, 40-year-old Robert Card.
Card is wanted for walking into Sparetime Recreation bowling alley just before 7 p.m. Wednesday and opening fire on a youth bowling league before driving about 4 miles and then shooting up Schemengees Bar and Grille Restaurant.
One witness, who only wanted to be identified as Brandon, detailed the harrowing moments to the Associated Press: “We were inside. Just a normal night of bowling, and out of nowhere he just came in and there was a loud pop. Thought it was a balloon. I had my back turned to the door. As soon as I turned and saw that it was not a balloon, he was holding a weapon. I just booked it down the lane and I slid basically into where the pins are and climbed up to the machine and was on top of the machines for about 10 minutes until the cops got there.”
According to officials, the gunman killed at least 7 people at Sparetime and 8 others at Schemengees. Right now, victims’ families are eagerly waiting for answers.
Leroy Walker, an Auburn City Councilor, said his son was working as the manager of Schemengees when the gunman entered the establishment.
“And I don’t know, telling you the truth, what kind of night this is going to be from now until tomorrow when I wake up to the true facts that my son is dead, and I know he’s dead,” Walker said with tears in his eyes. “I know it as well as I know I’m standing here telling you, because he’s not here and he’s not at any other hospital and he’s not running the streets or he would have called us, because he manages Schemengees, so I know he was there.”
Leroy learned his son, Joseph Walker, died a hero in the shooting. Leroy was told Joseph picked up a knife from behind the bar and attempted to go after the gunman but was unsuccessful.
The suspect, Robert Card, is enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve and possesses an active military identification, according to the Maine Department of Public Safety.
Officials say Card has a history of mental health issues. He allegedly reported hearing voices in his head and threatened to shoot up a National Guard facility. He spent two weeks over the summer at a mental health facility.
A white Subaru vehicle connected to Card was found at a boat landing about 10 miles away from Schemengees in Lisbon, Maine. Multiple law enforcement agencies continue searching for him, calling him armed and dangerous.
Residents of Lewiston and surrounding communities are being told to shelter in place, lock their doors, and call police with any tips concerning Card while officers work to find him.
Currently, it’s unclear why the gunman targeted Sparetime and Schemengees.
Card is currently charged with 8 counts of murder. That number is expected to increase when officials identify the remaining victims.
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