The search for answers and closure in the wake of the tragic shooting in Lewiston, Maine, took a significant turn on Saturday when authorities discovered the lifeless body of the gunman in the overflow parking lot at the Maine Recycling Corporation. The incident had left seven people dead, and a sense of unease had gripped the community.
The Los Angeles Police Department had twice previously searched the business, where the shooter had been employed at some point, but it was not until the property owner requested a check of the overflow lot that the discovery was made. The owner’s prompt call to the police proved crucial in advancing the investigation.
While authorities grappled with the search for the gunman’s identity, it was revealed on Saturday that the first three individuals to come forward with information to identify him in the released photos were members of his own family. The cooperation from the shooter’s family has been invaluable to the ongoing investigation, according to officials.
Although the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner initially marked the cause of death as “deferred” on its website, indicating the need for further investigation, the case later disappeared from the site altogether. Authorities, in an email statement, stated that they had not yet concluded their investigation, leaving many questions unanswered.
Maine Governor Janet Mills informed President Biden of the gunman’s demise, expressing a sense of relief that the threat had been neutralized. President Biden, in a statement on Friday, addressed the tragic events, emphasizing the need for gun violence prevention and urging Congress to take action.
This was a tragic two days for the families in Maine who have been devastated by gun violence.
At least eighteen souls brutally slain and more injured, and scores of family and friends praying and experiencing trauma no one ever wants to imagine.
We’re grateful that Lewiston…
— President Biden (@POTUS) October 28, 2023
The manhunt had involved hundreds of state and local police as well as federal agents since the shootings occurred last Wednesday. There had been a tense standoff at a residence in Bowdoin, the hometown of the gunman, but the search yielded no results.
On Friday, divers initiated underwater searches near the location where the shooter had abandoned his vehicle. Authorities had retrieved a firearm from the vehicle, though it remained uncertain if this weapon had been used in the shootings. Notably, the firearm had been legally purchased.
Investigators were also working diligently to access the gunman’s cellphone and scrutinize his online activity in an attempt to understand his motive for the shootings.
Information emerged that the shooter, Robert Card, a member of the U.S. Army Reserve, had reported experiencing mental health issues and had previously made threats related to a military base in Saco. However, without a forcible commitment, his mental health struggles would not have appeared on a background check for a legal firearm purchase.
The shooting spree had started at Sparetime Recreation, a bowling alley in Lewiston, claiming the lives of six men and one woman, with three individuals in critical care. Shortly afterward, at Schemengees Bar and Grille, another shooting resulted in eight fatalities, with three others succumbing to their injuries at local hospitals. The suspect, Card, had fled the scene, prompting authorities to label him as “armed and dangerous.”
Multiple communities in the area had been under shelter-in-place warnings in the days following the shootings, with schools closed and residents advised to stay indoors. These restrictions were lifted on Friday.
The victims of this tragic event ranged in age from 14 to 76, and the losses were deeply felt throughout the community. A community vigil was scheduled for Sunday night, offering solace and support to those affected by this devastating incident.
Categories: News
Source: vothisaucamau.edu.vn
