The city of Lewiston in Maine was plunged into chaos after a series of shootings at a bowling alley and a nearby restaurant left at least 18 people dead and 13 injured. The suspect, Robert Card, a 40-year-old firearms instructor in the US Army Reserve, is described as armed and dangerous and a warrant has been issued for his arrest on eight counts of murder, with the number expected to increase as more victims are identified.
The shooting began at Schemengees Bar and Grille, a restaurant located near Sparetime Recreation, a bowling alley where a children’s bowling league was taking place. Eyewitness Brandon described hearing around 10 shots and quickly hiding in the pin area of the bowling alley after the suspect, reportedly wearing a military uniform, entered and began firing. The shooting sent bowlers scrambling for cover, with many hiding in the back room or behind the pins.
The victims included a number of parents and children at the bowling alley, and Melinda Small, owner of the adjacent restaurant, reported that her staff quickly locked down the doors and moved all 25 customers and employees to a safe location after learning of the shooting. Authorities described Card as a person of interest in the attack, which sent a wave of panic through the community.
Robert Card
Law enforcement officials urged residents to stay indoors, lock their doors, and avoid the streets while the investigation was underway. The Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office extended the shelter-in-place order to nearby Lisbon, about eight miles away, after a “vehicle of interest” was found there. Governor Janet Mills expressed her condolences to the victims and their families, saying “This city did not deserve this terrible assault on its citizens, on its peace of mind, on its sense of security.”
As the investigation continues, authorities are working to piece together the events leading up to the shooting and Card’s motivations. The massive search effort involving hundreds of officers has been sparked by the release of photos of the suspect. Stephen King, a Maine resident and author, spoke out on social media, criticizing what he described as “apologists for murder.” He wrote, “The shootings occurred less than 50 miles from where I live. I went to high school in Lisbon. It’s the rapid-fire killing machines, people. This is madness in the name of freedom. Stop electing apologists for murder.”
