How the Maine shooting unfolded, from first shots to hunting down Robert Card
The gun rampage at a bowling alley and a bar in Lewiston, Maine, on Wednesday, appeared to be a planned and targeted operation that left eighteen dead and at least 13 injured — the deadliest mass shooting of 2023.
As of Thursday afternoon, suspect Robert Card wanted on eight counts of murder related to the shooting, remained unaccounted for as hundreds of state and federal officers scrambled to find him.
His family said he had been suffering mental health problems in recent weeks and urged him to hand himself in.
Here is a complete timeline of how the tragic events have played out so far:
First reports of active shooter
Wednesday, 6:56 p.m.: Police responded to multiple reports of an active shooter at Just-In-Time Recreation, a bowling alley in Lewiston shortly before 7 p.m. Wednesday, Col. William Ross of the Maine State Police said.
Second location reported
7:08 p.m.: Law enforcement received several calls reporting a gunman at Schemengees Bar & Grille about four miles away from Just-In-Time, Ross explained.
First photos of suspect emerge
8:00 p.m.: The Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office released a grainy image of the then-unidentified suspect clutching what appeared to be an AR-15 assault rifle at Just-in-Time on Facebook, asking the public to come forward with any information.
Shelter-in-place issued
8:09 p.m.: The Maine State Police issued a warning about an active shooter in Lewiston, and urged locals to shelter-in-place, CNN reported.
Police in the neighboring city of Auburn issued a shelter-in-place alert a few minutes later.
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9:17 p.m.: Lewiston police released a photo of a white Subaru with a black bumper, and asked the public to alert them if the car was seen.
Suspect identified
9:26 p.m.: The Lewiston Police Department received a call identifying the suspect as Army Reservist Robert Card, 40, of Bowdoin, the Lewiston Sun Journal reported.
9:56 p.m.: A Subaru matching the previously-released photo was found at the Pejepscot Boat Launch on the Androscoggin River in Lisbon, just outside of Lewiston, according to the Sun Journal.
The car was later identified as Card’s vehicle.
Manhunt
10:52 p.m.: The Lewiston police announced on Facebook that they were seeking Robert Card as a person of interest connected with the shootings.
The public was warned that Card should be considered “armed and dangerous.”
Thursday, after 6 a.m.: After searching unsuccessfully for Card through the night and early morning, police expanded the shelter-in-place order to the Bowdoin area.
Officials confirm death toll
10:30 a.m.: Gov. Janet Mills and other officials addressed the public at a press conference.
Mills and law enforcement leaders confirmed that 18 people were killed and 13 more injured.
Seven victims died at the bowling alley, and eight at the bar, Ross explained.
Three more victims died after being transferred to the hospital.
An arrest warrant for eight counts of murder was issued for Card, law enforcement confirmed.
Late morning: Leroy Walker told NBC News that his son, Schemengees bar manager Joseph Walker, was killed in the shooting.
2 p.m.: The US Coast Guard confirmed that they were looking for Card and that he may have attempted to escape in a 1989 Bayliner Marine corp 15′ fiberglass boat which public records show he owned.
