LISBON, ME – Dive teams are currently combing the Androscoggin River in Lisbon, Maine, as part of an extensive investigation into a tragedy that unfolded on Wednesday night, where 18 lives were tragically lost. Authorities have been inundated with 530 tips concerning the prime suspect, Robert Card, and are intensifying efforts to uncover crucial evidence and potentially locate his whereabouts.
Maine’s Public Safety Commissioner, Mike Sauschuck, addressed the press on Friday, shedding light on the ongoing investigation’s latest developments. The focal point of their efforts is the Miller Park Boat Launch on Frost Hill, where the suspect’s white Subaru was discovered late Wednesday evening. Air searches over the river and underwater dives are being conducted in the vicinity, employing sonar technology to aid in the quest for evidence or a possible body.
Commissioner Sauschuck emphasized that the extensive operation unfolding may appear significant but refrained from confirming the suspect’s presence in the water. In a bid to ensure the safety of the community, a substantial police presence will be maintained at both crime scenes, Just-In-Time Recreation and Schemengees Bar and Grille in Lewiston, for the foreseeable future. Law enforcement personnel will be meticulously scouring the shoreline near the boat ramp and the wooded areas around both locations for any potential evidence.
While the investigation continues to unfold, residents of Lewiston, Auburn, Lisbon, and Bowdoin are still under a shelter-in-place order, albeit subject to future adjustments. Commissioner Sauschuck acknowledged the potential adverse effects of such restrictions on daily life but stressed the community’s safety as the utmost priority.
Regarding the ongoing search’s duration, Sauschuck acknowledged the community’s patience and assured that all levels of law enforcement are committed to a thorough and diligent search for the suspect. Although a note connected to Card was found during the investigation, its contents have not been disclosed; it has been revealed that it was a suicide note addressed to his son. Additionally, investigators are in the process of obtaining search warrants for social media and electronic devices.
An active arrest warrant for murder remains in effect for Robert Card, a 40-year-old resident of Bowdoin. The tragic shootings occurred around 7 p.m. on Wednesday, resulting in the loss of 18 lives and injuries to 13 others. Seven individuals, including six men and one woman, lost their lives at Just-In-Time Recreation. In addition, eight more people, including seven men inside Schemengees Bar and Grille and one man outside, tragically perished. The identities and ages of the victims have not yet been disclosed, although some families have come forward to identify their loved ones.