Autopsy Indicates Maine Gunman Survived During Extensive Manhunt

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The military reservist responsible for the fatal shootings at a Lewiston bowling alley and bar was presumed to have been alive for a considerable duration of the extensive two-day manhunt that ensued. This search operation prompted community-wide lockdowns, as stated by findings from the Maine medical examiner’s office.

According to the autopsy report, Robert Card succumbed to a self-inflicted gunshot wound, which occurred approximately eight to 12 hours prior to the discovery of his remains. This information was released on Friday, a week subsequent to locating his body at a recycling facility owned by a former employer.

Following the events of October 25, where 18 individuals lost their lives and another 13 sustained injuries, residents in the surrounding localities of Lewiston were compelled to remain indoors as numerous law enforcement officials conducted a thorough search for Card. After fleeing the scene, Card’s vehicle was later discovered deserted at a waterfront in a nearby municipality.

Criticism has been directed at law enforcement for not locating Card sooner, with the assumption that his demise occurred shortly after the attacks and his remains were missed in initial search efforts.

However, the estimated time of death provided by Dr. Mark Flomenbaum, the chief medical examiner, implies that Card, aged 40, could have been alive and evading capture for over 24 hours subsequent to the shootings.

The determination of the exact time of death is complicated by a post-mortem cardiac condition noted by the medical examiner’s office, which impacted the distribution of blood in Card’s body, making the timing less precise, as explained by Lindsey Chasteen, an administrator with the examiner’s office in Augusta.

A representative from the state police declined to comment on the matter on Friday.

These revelations coincided with President Jose Biden and the first lady’s visit to Lewiston to express condolences and solidarity with the affected families. President Biden made poignant remarks during their visit to the sites of the tragedy.

Previously, concerns about Card’s mental health had been escalating, particularly after a confrontational incident with his Army Reserve unit in New York, leading to his hospitalization at a psychiatric facility.

Back in Maine, the apprehensions persisted, with one reservist even texting a superior about changing security codes and being armed in anticipation of Card’s potential violent actions. Despite these red flags and visits by deputies to Card’s residence, no preventive actions were taken under Maine’s “yellow flag” law.

The sequence of events leading up to the tragedy, especially after law enforcement’s last check-in with Card, remains enigmatic. Alarmingly, the statewide alert for Card was deactivated a week before the tragic events unfolded.

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More about Maine mass shooting

• Lewiston Mass Shooting Overview
• Autopsy Report Findings
• Law Enforcement Response to Maine Shooting
• Presidential Visit to Lewiston
• Maine “Yellow Flag” Law Details
• Army Reservist Mental Health Concerns