As suspect search continues, all shooting victims identified

The search for Robert Card entered its second full day after Wednesday night’s mass shootings in Lewiston, Maine, left 18 people dead and 13 other people with injuries. An arrest warrant has been issued for Robert Card, 40, of Bowdoin, on eight counts of murder, Col. William Ross with the Maine State Police said.Maine’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said all 18 people killed in the attacks had been identified, however their identities were not immediately released. Shocked and fearful residents in several communities are being told to remain in their homes as hundreds of heavily armed police and FBI agents search for Card.2 p.m. – Shooting victims identifiedMaine’s Office of Chief Medical Examiner said Friday afternoon that all 18 victims in the two mass shootings in Lewiston had been identified by authorities. The names of all of the victims were not immediately made public. 11:15 a.m. – Bill Belichick reacts to Maine mass shootingsNew England Patriots head coach is speaking out about the mass shootings that took place Wednesday night 150 miles away in Lewiston, Maine.”That’s obviously a tragic situation,” the head coach said at Friday’s press conference. “They’re great fans of ours, great friends up there. I mean, it’s a great place.””We’re thinking about you down here at the Patriots,” Belichick said. 10:35 a.m. – How deer hunting season might proceed amid mass shooter manhuntMaine’s deer hunting season is scheduled to begin on Saturday amid the ongoing search for the suspect in the mass shootings in Lewiston, Maine. Maine’s Public Safety Commissioner Mike Sauschuck said there are “conversations” taking place with the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. “I would expect to hear more about that later in the day,” Maine’s Public Safety Commissioner Mike Sauschuck said. “It’s a big deal. We know what that’s going to look like.” “We also know we’re in the woods,” Sauschuck said. “If you just happen to be in the woods, minding your own business, going for a walk, that’s going to make us a little concerned.”10:25 a.m. – How long will the shelter-in-place order last? Police said they were actively working with local and state officials to determine the future of the shelter-in-place orders for several Maine communities. “That’s an ongoing conversation that we’ll have every minute of every day,” Sauschuck said. “Does it make sense that those orders are still in place? And can we relax those?” “We realize that we want to keep our community safe. So that’s again in the forefront of our minds, but we know that a shelter-in-place order, in general, similar to orders around COVID, can have some negative impacts on families,” Sauschuck said. 10:20 a.m. – FBI solicits digital tips from Lewiston mass shootingThe FBI’s Boston office shared a form soliciting information, photos, videos and other information from Lewiston, Maine, mass shootings. Click here to visit the website and share your tips. 10 a.m. – Police hold news conference, discuss latestPolice said they were days away from finishing their processing of the crime scenes of the two mass shootings in Lewiston, Maine. Authorities said divers will search parts of the Androscoggin River and helicopters will search the river in the area of Lisbon Falls boat launch near Route 196 for potential bodies, as well as any additional evidence. 8:45 a.m. – DEA cancels fall drug takeback eventMaine’s drug takeback event that was scheduled to take place on Saturday has been canceled amid the ongoing search for the suspect in the Lewiston mass shootings.The Maine DEA said out of respect for the need for law enforcement agencies and personnel to stay focused on the ongoing investigation, DEA’s Portland, Maine Resident Office has decided to cancel the event. The agency said the event in April 2024. 8:40 a.m. – Lewiston-Auburn response fund established to support victims, recovery effortsThe Maine Community Foundation established the Lewiston-Auburn Area Response Fund in response to Wednesday’s mass shootings in Lewiston. The group says the fund will collect and allocate donations to support victims of the tragedy. Donations may be made to victims and survivors or to the broader recovery effort by clicking here or by mail to: Lewiston-Auburn Area Response FundMaine Community Foundation245 Main St.Ellsworth, ME 046058:30 a.m. – LL Bean retail store to remain closed FridayL.L. Bean’s flagship store in Freeport will remain closed for a second straight day amid the ongoing manhunt for the suspect in the mass shootings. The store is typically open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 6:05 a.m. – 7 Hannaford grocery stores to remain closed FridayHannaford said that its grocery stores in Auburn, Brunswick (Cooks Corner), Brunswick (Elm Street), Lewiston, Mechanic Falls, Topsham and Turner will remain closed until further notice. Stores in Yarmouth and Gray stores will reopen at 7 a.m. on Friday and the pharmacies in those stores will open at 8 a.m. Read more here.9 p.m. – Presence dwindles in BowdoinA convoy of police vehicles is leaving the scene in Bowdoin, where authorities say they executed several search warrants earlier in the night. 8 p.m. – Large presence in BowdoinOfficials are executing several search warrants at the home on Meadow Road in Bowdoin, Maine. Authorities say any announcements being heard over a loudspeaker are standard for a search warrant. It is unknown whether Card is inside the home.It is now being reported the note found at the suspect’s home was a suicide letter addressed to Robert Card’s son.6 p.m. – FBI at home in BowdoinFederal officials are now at a home in Bowdoin, Maine, associated with mass shooting suspect Robert Card. Helicopters are in the air, and multiple law enforcement agencies have arrived on the scene. It is unclear how the home is tied to Card, although his last known address was listed on the same roadway.Roads are closed off in the rural area. 5 p.m. — Note found in home of suspect, sources tell ABCInvestigators found a note at the home of mass shooting suspect Robert Card, law enforcement sources familiar with the case told ABC News.Those sources did not describe the contents of the note, saying only that it was a part of their investigation. It’s one of the several clues investigators have gathered as the manhunt for Card enters its 20th hour.Officials added that Coast Guard officials are also searching the Kennebec River and nearby waterways for a boat registered to Card. “Currently, we have crews assisting with patrols by water within the affected counties,” Coast Guard officials said in a statement. “We are working closely with our federal, state, and local partners during the search for a person of interest following yesterday’s shooting in Maine.”4 p.m. — Firearm recoveredInvestigators recovered a firearm from the car belonging to mass shooting suspect Robert Card, sources tell ABC. That vehicle – a white Subaru – was found Wednesday night at the Scott boat landing in Lisbon.Authorities say they are testing and tracing the gun to determine if it was used in Wednesday night’s shooting. But officials are warning that Card may still have access to other firearms, and anyone who encounters him should treat him as though he is armed and dangerous.3 p.m. — Five victims identifiedAs Maine and federal law enforcement officials continue their search for the man suspected in the death of 18 people at a Lewiston, Maine, bowling alley and restaurant, we’re learning more about the victims of the mass shootings.Joseph Walker, the manager of Schemengees Bar & Grill, and the son of Auburn city councilor Leroy Walker, Sr., was killed in the shooting.Bob Violette was one of the victims killed at the Just-In-Time recreation center, according to ABC News.Steven Vozzella and Bill Bracket were both part of a gathering of deaf people playing cornhole at Schemengees Bar & Grill, ABC News reported.Tricia Asselin was also one of the victims of the mass shootings in Lewiston on Wednesday night, ABC News said.Officials say Asselin was a part-time employee at Just-in-Time but was there bowling when gunfire erupted. Her brother says she ran to the counter and called 911 when she was shot.According to her brother, his other sister was also there but was able to escape. He says, “She was the rock of the family.”The names of the other victims were not immediately available.12 p.m. – ‘This reopens deep and painful wounds’ President Joe Biden urged residents of the area where police are searching for the suspect in the Maine mass shootings to heed the warning of local law enforcement.“For countless Americans who have survived gun violence and been traumatized by it, a shooting such as this reopens deep and painful wounds,” he said in a statement, adding that he and First Lady Jill Biden were praying for the families of the victims. “Far too many Americans have now had a family member killed or injured as a result of gun violence. That is not normal, and we cannot accept it.”Biden once again called for the passage of a ban of so-called assault weapons. The president also ordered flags at half-staff to honor the victims of the shooting.11 a.m. – Timeline of mass shootings. Col. William Ross said just before 7 p.m. on Wednesday, first responders received a 911 call about a shooting at the Spare Time (also known as Just-in-Time) Recreation Center in Lewiston.Police said at 7:08 p.m., police received multiple 911 calls about an active shooter inside of Schemengees Bar and Grille. Ross said seven people were killed inside of the Just-in-Time recreation center. He identified the victims as one female and six males. All died from apparent gunshot wounds.Ross said eight people were found dead inside Schemengees Bar and Grille. He said seven male victims were found inside the establishment and one male outside of the business.Police said three victims who were transferred to area hospitals were later pronounced dead, for a total of 18 victims. The investigation into the person responsible revealed their identity. A vehicle was located at the Scott boat landing in Lisbon. That person, through the registration of that vehicle, was identified as Robert Card, born in 1983. Several of the deceased have been identified, and their families and next of kin have been notified. Ross said eight of the victims have been identified, and an arrest warrant charging Card with eight counts of murder has been issued. “The reason it’s eight counts is because ten people have not yet been identified,” Ross said. “As those people are identified, the counts will probably go to the total of 18.””I’m so deeply saddened, as is every one of the 1.3 million people of this beautiful state,” Mills said. “This city did not deserve this terrible assault on its citizens, on its peace of mind, on its sense of security.””On behalf of all Maine people, I express my deep gratitude for your response and for your continued service,” Mills said. 10:05 a.m. – Councilor desperate for word about son’s conditionAn Auburn city councilor said he hasn’t heard from his son since the Lewiston mass shootings took place on Wednesday night.Leroy Walker, Sr. told WMTW that his son was working at Shaggy’s Bar and Grill Wednesday night. He said he still does not have any information on how his son is doing.9:55 a.m. – President orders all flags to be flown at half-staff for victimsPresident Biden signed a proclamation ordering all flags to be flown at half-staff at the White House and all other public buildings through Monday, “as a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on October 25, 2023, in Lewiston, Maine.”9:15 a.m. – Lewiston bowling alley; ‘None of this seems real’Just-in-Time Recreation, the Lewiston bowling alley, which was the scene of Wednesday night’s mass shooting, reacted to the incident on social media. “None of this seems real, but unfortunately it is,” the post said. “We are devastated for our community and our staff. We lost some amazing and wholehearted people from our bowling family and community last night. There are no words to fix this or make it better. We praying for everyone who has been affected by this horrific tragedy. We love you all and hold you close in our hearts.”8:50 a.m. – Red Cross ready to provide additional blood, urge donations.The American Red Cross said it was working closely with Maine hospitals to provide more than 120 blood products in response to the mass shooting. “We stand ready to provide additional blood products as needed,” the written statement said. Volunteer blood donors are needed each and every day to help save lives. The Red Cross is grateful for all donors who generously give blood throughout the country to help patients in need.Due to this incident, the Red Cross Blood Center in Auburn, Maine, is currently under lockdown. We will notify scheduled donors if we need to adjust our center hours in accordance with local orders.8:45 a.m. – Lewiston restaurant reacts; ‘I am at a loss for words’Schemengees Bar and Grille Restaurant, one of at least two locations in Wednesday night’s mass shooting, shared a message on social media, reacting to the news. “My heart is crushed,” the social post said. “I am at a loss for words. In a split second your world gets turn upside down for no good reason. We lost great people in this community. How can we make any sense of this. Sending out prayers to everyone.”8:10 a.m. – Mail delivery may be impacted by manhuntMail delivery from the United States Postal Service may be affected in some Maine communities on Thursday, specifically ones under shelter in place orders. “The situation is very fluid this morning,” Steve Doherty, a spokesperson for the Northeast Region of the U.S. Post Office, said in a written statement. “While the police shelter in place order is in place as they search for the shooting suspect, our carriers won’t be on the streets.”8:10 a.m. – Auburn ‘profoundly saddened’ by mass shootingThe city of Auburn said it was shocked and profoundly saddened by the mass shooting event in its sister city of Lewiston.”Our police department personnel are working side-by-side with the Lewiston Police and with law enforcement from across the state to bring this horrible event to an end,” the written statement said. “Our highest priority is the safety of our residents and the members of our community,” the statement said. “We urge everyone in Androscoggin County to follow the shelter in place order. Stay inside, lock your doors and vehicles, report all suspicious individuals and activities to 911, and closely follow all safety messages from the Maine State Police.”Auburn City Hall will be closed Thursday and the Auburn School Department has announced that all Auburn schools will be closed as well.7:35 a.m. – Grocery chain to keep stores closed through 10 a.m. All Hannaford stores in Maine will be closed until at least 10 a.m. on Thursday. “Our stores are following all shelter in place advisories and guidance from law enforcement,” a written statement from the grocery store said. “This is an evolving situation and we will provide updates as soon as possible.””Our thoughts and prayers are with all our associates and community members as we collectively cope with this heartbreaking tragedy,” the statement said. 7:20 a.m. – Enhanced security at Portland’s airport The Portland International Jetport said Thursday that it remained open, with flights operating. “Our partners at Portland Police and the Department of Homeland Security have increased patrols out of an abundance of caution,” a written statement from the airport director said. “Passengers under a shelter in place order or who are not comfortable leaving their home should contact their airline to rebook to later flights.”7:10 a.m. – Portland schools closed, public buildings closedThe city of Portland announced that in light of the evolving incident in Lewiston, all city buildings, except for City Hall and 39 Forest Avenue, will be closed to the public on Thursday. Portland Public Schools also announced it has closed for the day. The city said City Hall and 39 Forest Avenue will have Portland Police presence on site.