Written by Hannah Guanti
Last week, an Army reservist killed eighteen people and injured more during a mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine. Noting the worst mass killing history in Maine’s history.
According to the BBC, there have been more than 560 mass shootings this year in the United States alone. It is also the 36th mass killing 2023 in the US, on the authority of a database compiled by The Associated Press, USA Today, and Northwestern University.
Authorities are now reporting that 40-year-old Robert Card entered Schemengees Bar and Grille then Just-In-Time, a bowling alley before opening fire with at least one rifle. Reports are indicating that the weapon was legally purchased. Card was at-large for two days before being found dead Friday.
Card is noted to have a history of mental illness and people close to him are alleging that his paranoia was growing in recent months. Making many to look to his paranoia as the motivation. A mental health evaluation was completed last year following an incident on base that had Card committed to a facility.
Investigators are trying to understand how Card was able to purchase numerous guns given his medical history. Several months ago, he attempted to buy a silencer and was denied. Silencers are more heavily regulated by federal laws and his mental history had prevented the purchase. Many in Maine and across the country are calling for stricter gun laws following the shooting.
The victims’ names are still being released. This past week, President Biden visited the town to honor the victims.
