Maine Shooting Timeline: How Manhunt Unfolded as Robert Card Found Dead

The suspect in the Maine mass shooting that killed 18 people has been found dead after a days-long search.

Robert Card, 40, an army reservist who allegedly opened fire on a bowling alley and separate restaurant in Lewiston on Wednesday evening, has been found dead from a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound, Maine Governor Janet Mills has confirmed.

"I stand before you tonight to report that Maine State Police have located the body of Robert Card in Lisbon. He is dead," Mills said at a press conference on Friday evening.

"Like many Maine people, I breathe a sigh of relief knowing that Robert Card is no longer a threat to anyone else. I know there are many people who share that sentiment. I also know that his death may not bring solace to the victims of this tragedy," Mills added. Newsweek has contacted Gov. Janet Mills' office for comment via telephone.

Maine Department of Public Safety Commissioner Mike Sauschuck said Card was found at 7:45 p.m. near the Androscoggin River, about 8 miles southeast of where the second shooting took place. The exact location where his body was found has not been released by law-enforcement officials.

How the Events Unfolded

Shortly before 7 p.m. on Wednesday, October 25, Card is believed to have opened fire at Just in Time Recreation bowling alley in the northern part of Lewiston, Maine. The first 911 call was made at 6:56 p.m. reporting shots had been fired. At least seven victims died here, with several others injured.

Four plain-clothes police officers arrived on the scene 90 seconds later, according to a report by the Associated Press, but the suspect had already moved to his next location. A uniformed officer arrived at the bowling alley two-and-a-half minutes later, and eight more officers a minute after that. State police reached the place about 11 minutes after receiving a call to assist at 7 p.m.

Police received a second 911 call 12 minutes later at 7:08 p.m., around 4 miles away at Schemengees Bar & Grille in the southern end of the city. At least eight victims were confirmed to have died at the second scene. Three others died later at local hospitals.

Police arrived within five minutes at Schemengees Bar & Grille, but yet again the shooter was nowhere to be found. "By the time they responded to one location, they had calls coming in for a second location, then a third location. I'm sure it was overwhelming and there was confusion," Craig Caine, a retired inspector with the U.S. Marshals Service, told the Associated Press. "That could have been one reason why... nobody got eyes on him."

A third call came in Wednesday night from a Walmart facility reporting a potential active shooter, but it was established this was a false alarm.

An enormous manhunt was launched, with a stay in shelter put in place for residents of Lewiston and the nearby towns of Lisbon and Bowdoin. Border enforcement officials in Canada were also put on alert to look out for Card in case he attempted to flee the country. The FBI also assisted in the search for the suspect.

Police officers searched the last known residence of Card but did not locate him. They also found a vehicle believed to have been used during the shootings, which was also searched.

Card's body was found after a two-day search in Lisbon Falls, Androscoggin County, just a few miles outside of Lewiston.

President Joe Biden released a statement following the announcement that Card's body had been located. "Once again, an American community and American families have been devastated by gun violence," the statement seen by Newsweek reads. "In all, at least 18 souls brutally slain, more injured, some critically, and scores of family and friends praying and experiencing trauma no one ever wants to imagine."

The statement adds: "Americans should not have to live like this. I once again call on Republicans in Congress to fulfill their obligation to keep the American people safe. Until that day comes, I will continue to do everything in my power to end this gun violence epidemic. The Lewiston community – and all Americans – deserve nothing less."