Augusta, Maine – After the deadliest shooting in state history at a bowling alley and bar in Lewiston, the Maine State Police defended their delayed search for the gunman, Robert Card. The shooting left 18 people dead, and it took police two days to find Card’s body after he died by suicide.
State Police Chief Col. Bill Ross testified that the intense search was “extremely challenging” due to the two separate shooting locations. He explained that most other mass shootings end with the suspect either dead or captured at the scene. Ross emphasized the immense pressure the police force faced in finding Card.
At a hearing of the independent commission investigating the law enforcement response to the mass shooting, Maj. Lucas Hare described the decision to delay the search for Card. He explained that they believed Card, a former Army reservist, might have had access to night-vision capabilities or a thermal gun scope, making it too dangerous for officers to enter the woods without proper equipment.
The delay in finding Card’s body has caused public criticism, with many questioning why it took police two days to locate the shooter after they had identified him and found his abandoned car. A third search at a nearby recycling facility finally led to the discovery of Card’s body.
The credibility of the police action was further questioned after it was revealed that both police and the Army had been warned about Card’s deteriorating mental health in the months leading up to the shooting. Relatives and fellow reservists had expressed concern about his access to weapons, and a stark warning was issued to an Army superior that Card was a potential threat for a mass shooting.
The independent commission was assembled to determine whether any changes to existing laws are needed to prevent future tragedies like the Lewiston shooting. The investigation aims to provide insight and lessons that can be used to prevent and respond to such incidents in the future.