The 2023 Lewiston Tragedy: A Night of Horror

The Unfolding Chaos

On the evening of October 25, 2023, the tranquil city of Lewiston, Maine, was shattered by a horrific event that would become one of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history. At the center of this chaos was Robert Russell Card II, a 40-year-old man whose actions led to the deaths of 18 people and left 13 others wounded.

The nightmare began at Just-In-Time Recreation, a local bowling alley, where a youth league event was underway. At precisely 6:54 PM, Card entered the alley armed with a Ruger SFAR .308 semi-automatic rifle, equipped with an extended magazine, flashlight, and optic. After firing a single shot, the rifle jammed, giving a brief glimmer of hope to two brave employees, Jason Walker and Michael Deslauriers II, who attempted to disarm him. Tragically, Card managed to fix the weapon, reload, and take their lives, along with several others in a rampage that lasted a mere 45 seconds. The first emergency call was received at 6:56 PM, and officers arrived within four minutes, but by then, Card had already killed eight and injured three more, firing 18 rounds in total.

Less than 15 minutes later, at 7:07 PM, Card arrived at Schemengees Bar & Grille Restaurant, located four miles south. Here, he continued his assault, moving towards the cornhole section and firing multiple rounds. A quick-thinking patron, in a bid to save lives, turned off the building's power, a move that law enforcement later hailed as life-saving. Yet, Card fired 36 more rounds in just 78 seconds, both inside and outside the building, before fleeing. This attack resulted in ten deaths and ten injuries.

As the dust began to settle, three of the wounded succumbed to their injuries in the hospital, raising the death toll to 18. Card's actions that evening left a permanent scar on the community.

The Manhunt Begins

The immediate aftermath saw authorities spring into action. The Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office and Maine State Police quickly issued an alert, warning residents of an active shooter and releasing images of Card armed and dangerous inside the bowling alley. His 2013 Subaru Outback was also identified, intensifying the urgency of the search.

The manhunt, described as the largest in the state's history, quickly expanded. By October 26, the Maine State Police confirmed the grim tally of victims and announced an arrest warrant for Card, charging him with eight counts of murder. Authorities, including the FBI and ATF, scoured the region, focusing their search around Lisbon, where Card's vehicle was discovered abandoned at a boat launch along the Androscoggin River.

Despite their efforts, it wasn't until 7:45 PM on October 27 that Card's lifeless body was discovered in a box truck at a recycling center in Lisbon, near where he had been recently employed. The grim discovery brought a tragic end to the manhunt. Card had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, likely 8 to 12 hours before being found, according to an autopsy by the Maine Chief Medical Examiner.

The Victims

The loss of life was a devastating blow to the community. The victims, ranging in age from 14 to 76, included seven killed at the bowling alley—six men and one woman—and eight men at Schemengees Bar & Grille. Among the latter, four were participating in a cornhole tournament for the deaf community. Their identities were confirmed by October 27, with 15 of the deceased being men.

Reactions and Reflections

The impact of the Lewiston shootings was felt deeply across both local and national communities. Lewiston's mayor, Carl Sheline, expressed his heartbreak, while Auburn's mayor, Jason Levesque, emphasized the community's resilience. Maine Governor Janet Mills urged residents to heed law enforcement instructions, as condolences poured in from across the nation.

On a federal level, the tragedy prompted calls for change. Senator Angus King expressed profound sadness, while Senator Susan Collins described it as the darkest day in Maine's history during her lifetime. Jared Golden, representing Lewiston, reversed his stance on gun control, now supporting an assault weapons ban. President Joe Biden, reflecting the nation's mourning, ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff and called for stricter gun regulations.

The Enigma of Robert Card

Robert Russell Card II's descent into violence was as tragic as it was bewildering. Born and raised in Bowdoin, Maine, Card was a U.S. Army Reserve sergeant first class, serving as a petroleum supply specialist since 2002. Known for his quiet demeanor, his life took a dramatic turn in 2022 when he began experiencing auditory hallucinations and mood swings.

By the spring of 2023, Card's mental health noticeably deteriorated. He believed he was being maligned as a pedophile, which his family attributed to his declining hearing and the fitting of hearing aids. Despite these troubling signs, his mental health struggles went largely unchecked, culminating in a series of violent episodes.

In July 2023, Card's erratic behavior during military training led to his removal and subsequent hospitalization for psychological evaluation. Despite being prescribed lithium, he discontinued the medication upon his release. As his mental state further unraveled, Card's access to firearms was restricted, yet his trajectory towards violence remained unchecked.

The Role of Brain Injury

In a bid to understand the underlying causes of Card's actions, his brain tissue was examined by Boston University's CTE Center. The findings revealed significant brain damage, resembling that seen in veterans exposed to blast injuries. Although Card never saw combat, his role as a grenade instructor likely exposed him to numerous blasts over his military career.

Neurologist Ann McKee noted that while the pathological findings could not definitively explain Card's behavioral changes, brain injury likely contributed to his symptoms. The examination, ordered by the Maine Chief Medical Examiner's office, provided a haunting glimpse into the possible factors behind Card's tragic actions.

Conclusion

The 2023 Lewiston shootings left an indelible mark on Maine and the nation. As communities mourn the loss and grapple with the senseless violence, the story of Robert Card serves as a stark reminder of the complexities of mental health and the urgent need for comprehensive solutions. The tragedy in Lewiston is a call to action, underscoring the importance of addressing the multifaceted issues surrounding gun violence and mental health in America.

Sources

For more detailed information, please visit the original Wikipedia article: 2023 Lewiston shootings