Lewiston shootings: Suspect in Maine shootings who killed 18 found dead

LEWISTON, Maine — Law enforcement officials say that the suspect in the Lewiston killings on Wednesday was found dead, according to The Associated Press.

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Update 11:34 a.m. EDT Oct. 28: Maine Department of Public Safety Commissioner Mike Sauschuck said in a news conference Saturday morning that Robert Card was found dead inside a trailer in an overflow parking lot by the Maine Recycling Facility.

The area was cleared twice previously before Card’s body was found. It was cleared by the Lisbon Police Department. The owner of the recycling facility mentioned the overflow parking area to law enforcement, which is what led to them searching the area again, Sauschuck said.

Sauschuck said crews will be continuing to investigate at least through the weekend.

Sauschuck mentioned that a note was left for a loved one that had a code for his phone and bank account information.

“I wouldn’t describe it as an explicit suicide note, but the tone and tenor was that the individual was not going to be around, and wanted to make sure that this loved one had access to his phone and whatever was in his phone,” Sauschuck said, according to CNN. Investigators are working to get into Card’s phone but have to get a search warrant in order to gain access to it.

Sauschuck said that the family was very cooperative with law enforcement. He also said that his family called the police to give his name to investigators after they saw the surveillance photos, according to The Associated Press.

A weapon was also wound in Card’s vehicle, Sauschuck. said. It was the only weapon found in the vehicle at that time. Two weapons were found on his body.

“There’s paranoia, there’s some conspiracy theorist piece,” Sauschuck said, according to The New York Times. He also said that the suspect “felt like people were talking about him.” He also may have been hearing voices.

The weapons were believed to have been legally purchased days before the attacks Wednesday, officials said, according to the Times.

Update 8 a.m. EDT Oct. 28: President Joe Biden released a statement after the suspect, Robert Card, was found dead Friday night.

“This has been a tragic two days – not just for Lewiston, Maine, but for our entire country. Once again, an American community and American families have been devastated by gun violence. In all, at least eighteen souls brutally slain, more injured, some critically, and scores of family and friends praying and experiencing trauma no one ever wants to imagine. Numerous brave law enforcement officers have worked around the clock to find this suspect and prevent the loss of more innocent life – all while risking their own. They are the best of us,” Biden said.

“Tonight we’re grateful that Lewiston and surrounding communities are safe after spending excruciating days hiding in their homes. I thank Governor Janet Mills for her steady leadership during this time of crisis, and continue to direct my administration to provide everything that is needed to support the people of Maine,” Biden continued.

Update 10:28 p.m. EDT Oct. 27: Maine Gov. Janet Mills confirmed Friday night in a news conference that the Maine State Police found 40-year-old Robert Card dead.

“I’m breathing a sigh of relief tonight that Robert Card is no longer a threat to anyone,” Mills said.

“Now is the time to heal,” Mills said during a news conference late Friday, according to CNN. “With this search concluded, I know that law enforcement continues to fully investigate all the facts so we can bring what closure we can to the victims and their families.”

Lewiston Police Chief David St. Pierre said he was “elated” when he heard Card was dead, according to The New York Times.

Maine Department of Public Safety Commissioner Mike Sauschuck said Card’s body was found at 7:45 p.m. Friday. He confirmed that Card was found with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound and was located by the Androscoggin River. According to the AP, Sauschuck declined to give a specific address of where Card’s body was found.

Sauschuck said another briefing will take place Saturday at 10 a.m. EDT Saturday.

Sauschuck confirmed the hunting restriction for four towns -- Bowdoin, Lewiston, Lisbon and Monmouth -- has been lifted.

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said that President Joe Biden called her Friday night to confirm the death of the suspect, according to the Times.

The owner of Maine Recycling, Leo Madden confirmed to the newspaper that Card had worked for the company.

“His demeanor at Maine Recycling was no different from anybody else,” Madden said.

Original story: Robert Card, 40, was wanted in connection with the mass shootings that left 18 people dead and 13 injured in Schemengees Bar & Grille and Just-In-Time Recreation on Wednesday.

A law enforcement official reportedly told the police that Card died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

U.S. Sen. Angus King told the Bangor Daily News that Card was found at a Lisbon recycling center where he used to work. He was reportedly shot in the same clothes that he was wearing on Wednesday.

The Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office confirmed on Facebook that Card was located and confirmed dead.

The facility is about a mile from the boat launch where Card’s car was found Wednesday evening, the Bangor Daily News reported.

Multiple people reported a sudden surge in police activity in Lisbon around 8 p.m. and Maine State Police called the news conference around 9 p.m., the Lewiston Sun Journal reported.

Card was a U.S. Army reservist. According to the AP, he went through a mental health evaluation in mid-July after he had been acting erratically during training.

Card was sought after the shootings Wednesday night and had murder warrants issued against him.

A news conference is expected to take place at 10 p.m. EDT.

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