Suspect in Maine mass shootings still not found as searchers scour river
Investigators have received more than 530 tips and leads, and they've set up an FBI tip line for more — and it was confirmed that a note was found at Robert Card's home
As authorities continue to investigate the shootings that killed 18 people in Lewiston, all of the victims who lost their lives have been publicly identified.
"There are going to be communities that hear gunshots from time to time because there's going to be hunting," Maine Department of Public Safety Commissioner Michael Sauschuck said at a news conference Friday evening.
The massive dragnet for Card involved two sets of teams: investigators, who were both combing for evidence at the crime scenes and the boat launch in Lisbon, Maine, where Card's vehicle was found, as well as an apprehension team looking to try and catch him alive.
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The two-pronged search for the murder suspect in this week's massacre in Lewiston, Maine, continues by land, water and air, as law enforcement looks for Robert Card — whether he's dead or alive.
One of the possibilities investigators are considering is whether Card's body is in the Androscoggin River, Sauschuck said at an earlier news conference. Divers, aircraft and officers on foot would be scouring the river Friday.
"We have a lot of irons in the fire," Sauschuck said, adding, "I'm not saying we know that the suspect is in the water."
Avoiding questions on whether there were warnings that should have triggered Maine's "yellow flag" law — Sauschuck said there would be time to engage in that issue — he shared confidence that Card would eventually be caught.
"There is no question in my mind that we're going to bring this individual into custody one way or the other," he said.
Officials provide an update on the manhunt for the suspected shooter in a mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine.
President Joe Biden received a briefing on the shooting Friday from FBI Director Christopher Wray and other top staff, according to the White House.
Part of the manhunt was on full display Thursday night, when police surrounded Card's home in Bowdoin. They issued commands over the loud speaker — but officials later clarified that they were standard announcements in a large-scale search.
Police said it was unknown whether Card, who's an Army reservist and firearms instructor, was even at that location or if they were simply just doing their due diligence to find him. Sauschuck said Friday to expect more such announcements until Card is found.
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The search started about 7 p.m. Wednesday, when the Auburn Communication Center was notified that there was a man walking into Just-In-Time Recreation — a bowling alley on Mollison Street — and began shooting. Seven people were shot, including one female and six males.
Shortly after, at about 7:08 p.m., police said a man came into Schemengees Bar and Grille restaurant on Lincoln Street and began shooting. Eight people were shot — seven males inside and one outside.
An hour later, law enforcement released a picture of the shooter and later identified the suspect as 40-year-old Card from Bowdoin. There is currently an arrest warrant issued for him with eight counts of murder.
Authorities have not released the names of the 18 people killed in two mass shootings in Lewiston, Maine, but their family members and friends have begun sharing their stories.
The vehicle of interest was found at about 11:30 p.m., roughly eight miles from Lewiston in Lisbon. Police described the car as a small white SUV with a front bumper that was painted black.
NBC10 Boston spoke with a woman, who was a longtime Auburn, Me., resident but moved to Florida when her children grew up. She said she was at home watching television when her show was interrupted by the horrific news.
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A sign reading “Lewiston Strong” is displayed in Lewiston, Maine, on Friday, Oct. 27, 2023.
Robert F. Bukaty / AP
Jess Paquette expresses her support for her city in the wake of Wednesday’s mass shootings in Lewiston, Maine.
Joe Raedle / Getty
Law enforcement officials gather in the road leading to the Bowdoin, Maine home of the suspect being sought in connection with the mass shootings, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023.
Steven Senne / AP
Maine State Police Col. William Ross, center, appears emotional as he faces reporters while Maine Gov. Janet Mills, left, and Maine Commissioner of Public Safety Mike Sauschuck, right, look on, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023, during a news conference at Lewiston City Hall, in Lewiston, Maine.
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Artist Miia Zellner walks away after nailing hearts she made to trees on Main Street in Lewiston, Maine, the day after mass shootings took place in the city.
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A sign on a Starbucks restaurant announces it is temporarily closed as people shelter in place following a mass shooting and subsequent manhunt, on Oct. 26, 2023 in Portland, Maine.
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Maria Wilson shows emotion near a reunification center set up at Auburn Middle School on early Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023 in Auburn, Maine. Wilson came to the reunification center trying to find out information about a person she knew who was at Schemengees Bar and Grille at the time of the shooting.
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Law enforcement are seen outside the home of suspect Robert Card’s father and brother in Bowdoin, Maine on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023.
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Law Enforcement officials gather near a home as they prepare to search it for the suspect in connection with two mass shootings on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023 in Bowdoin, Maine.
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Heavily armed police search the home of suspect Robert Card’s father and brother in Bowdoin, Maine on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023.
Robert F. Bukaty / AP
Police respond to an active shooter situation in Lewiston, Maine, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023.
Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office / AP
In this image taken from video released by the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office, an unidentified gunman points a gun while entering Sparetime Recreation in Lewiston, Maine, on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023.
Lewiston Maine Police Department / AP
This photo released by the Lewiston, Maine, Police Department on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023, shows a vehicle police are seeking information on in connection to an active shooter situation in Lewiston, Maine.
Steven Senne / AP
People depart an emergency department entrance at Central Maine Medical Center during an active shooter situation, in Lewiston, Maine, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023.
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A view of the street while police officers close the road as they patrol around the surrounding area, October 26, 2023.
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Law enforcement officials are seen at Lisbon High School early Oct. 26 as a manhunt continues for the suspect in a mass shooting that took place the day prior.
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Police officers close the road as they patrol a neighborhood after issuing a warning about an ‘active shooter’ incident, October 26, 2023.
Steven Senne / AP
People depart a reunification center early Thursday, Oct. 26 at Auburn Middle School, in Auburn, Maine, after shootings in Lewiston.
Steven Senne / AP
Law enforcement officers carry rifles outside Central Maine Medical Center during an active shooter situation, in Lewiston, Maine, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023.
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Police presence at Schemengees Bar, one of the locations where the Lewiston mass shooting occured, on Thursday, Oct. 26.
John Tlumacki / The Boston Globe via Getty
Heavily armed police boarded armored vehicles at Lisbon High School at daybreak as they search for the mass shooter, Oct. 26.
Robert F. Bukaty / AP
Three vehicles transport bodies from Schemengees Bar and Grille, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023, in Lewiston, Maine. The restaurant was the site of one of the two mass shootings in Lewiston on Wednesday.
LEWISTON, ME – OCTOBER 27: A business display a message in Lewiston, Maine, Friday, October 27, 2023. (Photo by Salwan Georges/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
LISBON, MAINE – OCTOBER 28: In an aerial view, police vehicles are seen in the area near the Maine Recycling Center building where Robert Card, the suspect in two mass killings, was found dead on October 28, 2023 in Lisbon, Maine. Mr. Card, who had worked at the recycling center, allegedly killed 18 people in a mass shooting at a bowling alley and restaurant in Lewiston. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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LISBON, ME – OCTOBER 27: Law enforcement members investigate at a site where a body of the suspect Robert Card is found in Lisbon, Maine, Friday, October 27, 2023. Card is believed to be the gunman who killed at least 18 people in Lewiston, Maine. (Photo by Salwan Georges/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
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LEWISTON, MAINE – OCTOBER 27: Governor Janet Mills of Maine is embraced before she announces to the media that Robert Card, the suspect in two mass killings, was found dead on October 27, 2023 in Lewiston, Maine. Mr. Card, who allegedly killed 18 people in a mass shooting at a bowling alley and restaurant in Lewiston was found dead in nearby Lisbon. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 27: A fan holds a “Lewiston Strong” sign after the game between the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat at TD Garden on October 27, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. A man gunned down 18 people with a semi-automatic rifle in a bowling alley and a bar where locals were enjoying an evening out on October 25 2023 in Lewiston, Maine. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Schroeder/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 27: The Boston Celtics players wear “Maine” shirts during the National Anthem at TD Garden on October 27, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. A man gunned down 18 people with a semi-automatic rifle in a bowling alley and a bar where locals were enjoying an evening out on October 25 2023 in Lewiston, Maine. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Schroeder/Getty Images)
It turned out, her two daughters were in the bowling alley when the gunman unleashed a barrage of bullets, killing seven people. One of her daughters made it out alive — but the other, Tricia Asselin, did not.
People in Bowdoin, Lisbon and Lewiston had been asked to shelter in place. That order was lifted Friday evening.
There are more than 350 police officers searching for Card.
The Boston Bruins took to their home ice at TD Garden on Thursday night with a massive show of support for the Lewiston, Maine, shooting victims and their families.
In Massachusetts, the Boston Bruins paid tribute to the victims of the mass shootings during their game against the Anaheim Ducks at TD Garden Thursday night.
Head coach Jim Montgomery and goalie Jeremy Swayman played for the University of Maine.
Swayman hung a commemorative jersey behind Boston's bench. It reads, "Lewiston Strong" across the back, along with the number 207, representing Maine's area code.
Players for both the Bruins and the Ducks taped their sticks blue and signed them. Those are being auctioned off to support the victims families. The Boston Bruins Foundation announced it will pledge a minimum of $100,000 to the cause.
Meanwhile, the Celtics posted a statement on social media, saying, "Our hearts ache as we reckon with the devastating shootings in Lewiston. We mourn with everyone in our Maine family experiencing the agonizing loss of this tragedy."
"I personally spent four wonderful years at the University of Maine and I know how great the culture is in that state and I know how great the people are. My heart-felt sympathies to everybody that's impacted," said Montgomery.
"I spent time in Portland, Maine, some 37-miles from where it's at and when you see people go through difficult situations that they didn’t ask for, it's really painful," Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla said Thursday.
