4 unanswered questions after mass shooting suspect killed 18 in massacre
As more details emerge about the mass shooting that left 18 dead and the gunman suspected of carrying it out, some questions still remain.
Just before 7pm on Wednesday evening, 40-year-old Robert Card walked into a bowling alley in Lewiston, Maine, with a rifle and opened fire indiscriminately at the Just-In-Time Recreation centre, which was hosting a children's bowling league at the time. A little more than 10 minutes later, police received a call that there was a gunman firing at patrons at Schemengees Bar and Grille, a restaurant around four miles from the bowling alley.
Seven people died at the bowling alley with eight dying in the restaurant shooting and three more dying in hospital. A huge manhunt is underway for Card, with widespread shelter-in-place orders issued as far north as the US-Canada border.
READ MORE: Four theories on how suspect Robert Card has evaded capture in manhunt
The Army Reservist was sectioned several months ago due to mental health reasons, and before leaving the Army base claimed he was hearing voices, as well as threatening to shoot up the National Guard base in Saco, Maine. The manhunt for the suspected shooter is now in its second day, with multiple theories as to how he has managed to evade capture.
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However, there are still more unanswered questions about Card and the shooting spree. We've taken a look at four of them below.
Where is Robert Card?
As authorities hunted for Card, they searched his home in Bowdoin, Maine. A neighbour described how Card lived on a "compound" with his family who are known locally as "gun-toting enthusiasts".
A keen hunter with military training, there have been warnings from experts that he could be using that knowledge and training in order to escape detection. Former Florida police sergeant and SWAT team member Marko Galbreath said Card could have travelled anywhere, and the entire country must remain vigilant.
He said Card could still be in the area, hunkering down and planning a shoot-out with police or his own death, or he could be across the other side of the country. Mr Galbreath said Card's military training would have provided a survival "skillset and mindset" which would have taught him how to "live in an environment that's not comfortable."
As the search for Robert Card enters a second day, there are several theories as to how he has managed to escape detection (@CinemaShogun)As an active member of the Reserves, Card also has access to military bases across the country. Another longtime neighbour said Card was a keen hunter who knows the surrounding area in great detail. Rick Gadden said: "He knows this area like the back of his hand, if he doesn't want to be found he won't. He's a hunter."
There are also theories that Card could have escaped on a jet ski. As the search for Card continued, armoured tanks and SWAT teams were seen searching a waterway entrance to the Androscoggin River in the early hours of Thursday morning after Card's white Subaru Outback was found abandoned at a boat dock in Miller Park.
A spokeswoman said Card's 15-foot Bayliner boat is also missing, with the US Coastguard called in to keep an eye out for the suspect. Marine records show that Card registered a 2019 Sea Doo jet ski in his name in June, sparking fears he could have taken to the water in a bid to evade authorities.
What was Robert Card's motive?
With Card still on the run, and not having yet spoken to authorities his reason for opening fire on the bowling alley and bar is not yet entirely clear. However, as more details about his personal life are revealed, there are some discoveries that investigators are paying close attention to.
As Card's family cooperates with authorities, his sister has told investigators she thought her brother may have been looking for an ex-girlfriend at the locations. According to sources close to the investigation, one line of investigation is whether the mass shooting began as a domestic dispute.
Card had been married but his ex-wife filed for divorce citing irreconcilable differences, which was granted in 2007. It gave the couple shared custody of their child, according to court documents, with the divorce order amended in 2013 to include shared parental rights and responsibilities of the child, whose primary residence was with his mother.
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Map shows the locations of the Lewiston shootingsAnalysis of his online behaviour shows Card appeared to have "interacted with conspiratorial content" online. He engaged with topics that included concerns about a financial crisis, LGBTQ+ issues, gun rights and commentary about Democratic public officials, including President Joe Biden.
Between January and March, information provided to law enforcement shows Card 'liked' posts about classified documents found at Biden's home, calls for the IRS to be abolished, allegations of Democrats engaging in election fraud in 2020 and Covid conspiracy theories.
Investigators are also looking into Card's writings and history of psychiatric issues. Card, a sergeant first class and petroleum supply specialist in the US Army Reserves, spent the summer with his Army Reserve Unit at Camp Smith Training Center in upstate New York.
A police tactical unit makes its way down a street during the search for mass-shooting suspect Robert Card in Lisbon Falls, Maine (CJ GUNTHER/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)During this time, Card was "behaving erratically", according to a US Defense Department official. Leaders of the 3rd Batallion, 304th Infantry Regiment informed staff at the training site about Card's behaviour on July 17, according to the official.
"Out of concern for his safety, the unit requested that law enforcement be contacted," the official said. New York State Police officers responded to the call and took Card to the Keller Army Community Hospital at the US Military Academy for a medical evaluation.
It's alleged that Card threatened other soldiers with violence and was "command directed" to go to the hospital for evaluation. He's said to have been hearing voices, and threatened to shoot up the National Guard base in Saco, Maine.
What was in the note found at Card's home?
As authorities searched Card's home in Bowdoin, Maine, they came across what appeared to be a suicide note addressed to his son. The note was found as SWAT teams conducted a search and clear of the home before investigators entered and executed a search warrant to look for items such as computers, notes, weapons, and any evidence that might indicate a plan to carry out the shootings.
Law enforcement sources with knowledge of the investigation told ABC News that the note does not provide information that indicates a motive for the mass shooting. Investigators are trying to determine whether there is any useful information that can be gleaned from the note, however, the contents of it have not yet been revealed.
Who are the Maine shooting victims?
Though authorities have not yet released the names of the victims slain by Card, family and loved ones have been confirming their deaths. So far, the death toll stands at 18, with seven killed at the bowling alley, eight a the bar and three others dying after being taken to hospital.
76-year-old retiree Bob Violette had a volunteer job coaching the youth bowling league that was practising on Wednesday night when he was gunned down. Patrick Poulin's teenage son has been a member for three years and described Bob as unfailingly approachable and caring.
Bob Violette had been volunteering at the children's bowling league (Facebook)Bob's daughter confirmed his death to WBZ-TV. Patrick said: "Sometimes kids are having a hard time for whatever reason, discourages or something. He was great at picking them up and getting them to move along from that issue and get things going in the right direction."
Tricia Asselin was also one of those killed at the bowling alley. Kaisa Pearl wrote a tribute to her on Facebook saying: "Our bowling community took a huge loss... We went through so much together at that alley.
"You were so selfless and cared so much about everyone around you. You were here there and everywhere working as much as you could. I messaged you first [when I heard of the shooting] and I knew the minute you didn't read it [that you were dead]."
Tricia Asselin was shot while attempting to grab her phone to call 911 (Facebook)Tricia was running for her phone to call 911 when she was shot and killed. Her mother, Alicia Lachance, said her daughter was trying to get law enforcement to the scene to protect the children at the bowling alley. She and her family were regulars at the bowling alley and Tricia had worked there as it was owned by family friends.
Michael Deslaurier's dad confirmed to CBS News that his son was one of those killed at the bowling alley. His father, who shares the same name, said his son and a friend were both killed as they charged at the shooter after making sure their wives and several children were safe.
Jason Walker and Mike Deslauriers II were childhood friends since kindergarten (Alan Johnson/ Facebook)Michael's childhood friend Jason Walker helped in the attempt to stop the gunman. Alan Johnson paid tribute to the pair, who met in kindergarten, on Facebook.
"They are the embodiment of true heroes," he wrote. "Mike was a friend of mine and fellow colleague. He was the kind of man that would give you the shirt off his back, no questions asked."
Peyton Brewer-Ross, 40, was known for his love of cornhole, wrestling and comic book heroes. A pipefitter at Bath Iron Works he leaves behind a partner and young daughter.
Joseph Walker, 57, was one of the victims in the massacre in Maine (Facebook)Joe Walker, 56, was the bar manager at Schemengees Bar and Grille, with his dad, Auburn City Councilor Leroy Walker, sharing that his son died after being shot twice in the stomach as he went after the shooter with a butcher knife. He said: "He died as a hero".
Ron Morin was described as a gregarious, upbeat man by family member Cecile Francoeur Martin. She said: "He was just always smiling, happy. Just one of those people that if you are having a bad day, he was going to make your day better just by his presence."
Joshua Seal with his wife Elizabeth, he had four children (Elizabeth Seal/Facebook)Joshua Seal was also killed in the shootings, according to his wife Elizabeth Seal. He was the father of four children, and was always there to help or take them camping or to the beach, Elizabeth said in her post.
He worked as an American Sign Language interpreter for Pine Tree Society in Scarborough. Elizabeth paid tribute to her husband, writing: "Not only was he an amazing father, he was a wonderful husband, my best friend, and my soulmate. He loved his family and always put them first. That is what he will always be remembered for."
Bryan MacFarlane, 40, was killed in the mass shootings (Facebook)Bryan MacFarlane was one of those taking part in a cornhole tournament at the bar when Card entered and opened fire. His sister Keri Brooks confirmed his death to CNN, explaining the cornhole game was a regular event among members of the local deaf community who gathered at the bar weekly to play.
"I grew up in Maine and the deaf community is a tight-knit community," said Keri. She added: "Not only was my brother slain but my friends were too". Bryan worked as a truck driver for several years, with Keri saying he was one of the first deaf people in Vermont to get his commercial trucking driver's licence and had recently moved back to Maine.
Maxx Hathaway was a doting dad-of-two with a third child due to be born next month (Gofundme)Maxx Hathaway was killed after deciding to stay out for one more game of pool. The dad-of-two had a third child on the way, and was described as a "goofy, down to earth person" by his sister.
He was described as a stay-at-home dad to his youngest daughter, Lilian, and a doting dad to both daughters with a third expected to arrive next month. Maxx's sister Kelsay Hathaway launched a GoFundMe to help her sister-in-law through the horrific ordeal.
Billy Brackett was one of those who had gone to Schemengees for the deaf community cornhole game (Billy Brackett/Facebook)
Steve Vozzella was named as one of the victims who had been playing cornhole at the bar (Vozzella Megan/Facebook)Bill Brackett was confirmed as one of the victims by his father, William Brackett. He told ABC News that Bill was part of a gathering of deaf people to play cornhole at Schemengees.
Steven Vozzella was also among those killed at Schemengees. His brother Nick Vozzella said Steven was part of the cornhole game that members of the deaf community had met to play.
Tommy Conrad's father, Timonth Conrad, confirmed his son's death. He's survived by his nine-year-old daughter. Tommy was a new manager at the bowling alley, according to a Facebook post made by a member of the local bowling community.
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