The Maine State Police (USA) confirmed the discovery of the body of the main suspect in the two shootings that claimed the lives of 18 people in the city of Lewiston on Wednesday.
Robert Card was found dead around 7:45 p.m. local time (00:45 GMT) with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head and his body was found in a place near the river where he had abandoned his car, two days after having carried out two shootings. in a bowling alley and a restaurant.
This was confirmed by Mike Sauschuck, commissioner of the Maine Department of Public Safety, in a press conference in which the Democratic governor, Janet Mills, participated, who confirmed that she has already given the news to President Joe Biden.
Sauschuck declined to report on many details questioned by the press, including the location of the discovery and whether it had been examined before today. “I won’t give you an exact address. “It was near the Androscoggin River, in Lisbon Falls,” he said.
The New York Times newspaper claims that the body was found in a recycling plant where he had worked, two days after having carried out two shootings at a bowling alley and a restaurant.
The commissioner explained that before making the news public, the families of the 18 deceased and also that of the suspect were notified, who “lost a loved one in this scenario,” he stated.
“Robert Card is dead”
After the press conference ended, an alert sounded on the mobile phones of the residents of the area. “The search for Mr. Card is over. The sheltering is over. He can be hunted again.”
The press conference began with a few words from Democratic Governor Janet Mills, who announced the long-awaited news for the first time. “Robert Card is dead.”
“Like many people, tonight I breathe a sigh of relief knowing that Robert Card is no longer a threat to anyone. I know there are many people who share that sentiment, but I also know that his death may not bring comfort to many. But now is the time to heal,” he stated.
This discovery puts an end to two days of tension in Lewiston and neighboring cities, where a large part of the citizens have remained sheltered at home for safety.
And an intense search by air, land and water also ends, in which hundreds of local and state police officers, as well as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), have participated.
Nothing was known about the suspect since authorities published his photograph on social media on Wednesday – in which he appeared carrying an assault rifle – and asked the public to share any information about his possible whereabouts with the police.
Intense search in Maine
His vehicle had been found the night of the event on a pier in Lisbon, a town about 12 kilometers from Lewiston, where the massacre took place. That is why this Friday’s search focused on the river next to which the vehicle was found, with divers, underwater robots and sonars.
Card was a soldier in the reserves, 40 years old, and had spent two weeks in a psychiatric hospital. Until now he was considered armed and dangerous.
This Friday, the Maine State Police, which is leading the investigation, published the names of the 18 fatal victims of the shootings, including a teenager and his father and four deaf people.
He also announced that this Saturday the order to stay at home for safety in force since Wednesday ends.
The event has shocked Lewiston, a city of about 38,000 inhabitants, the second most populated in the state of Maine. It is the deadliest shooting so far this year in the United States.
Biden condemns gun “epidemic”
The president of the United States, Joe Biden, celebrated the news that the main suspect in the two shootings in Lewiston (Maine) was found dead by authorities.
“Tonight we are grateful that Lewiston and surrounding communities are safe after spending excruciating days hiding in their homes,” the president said in a statement.
The Democrat’s main message, however, was against gun violence. He said Americans “should not have to live this way.”
“I again call on Republicans in Congress to fulfill their obligation to keep Americans safe. Until that day comes, I will continue to do everything in my power to end this epidemic of gun violence,” he said. With EFE
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2024-03-31 07:45:47
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