Maine mass shooting suspect Robert Card found dead
The man wanted in the mass shooting at a bowling alley and bar that killed 18 people and wounded 13 has been found dead, Amelia Harper reports
A man suspected of fatally shooting 18 people and wounding 13 in the US state of Maine has been found dead, authorities said on Friday night local time (27 October).
State governor Janet Mills confirmed the news at a press conference held at 10pm local time (3am BST October 28).
"I stand here tonight to simply report that the Maine State Police have located the body of Robert Card in Lisbon," Governor Mills said.
"He is dead."
The Democrat governor said she had called US president Joe Biden to inform him of the news.
"Like many people, I'm breathing a sigh of relief tonight knowing that Robert Card is no longer a threat to anyone", she said. "I know his death may not bring solace to many. But now is a time to heal", she added.
Authorities confirmed that the body was found at 7:45pm in a wooded area, near the Androscoggin River in Lisbon Falls. A cause of death has not yet been officially given, but Card reportedly died of self-inflicted gunshot wounds to the head.
President Biden has since called on Republicans in Congress to help "keep the American people safe" by ending "this gun violence epidemic."
Mr Biden also praised the efforts of police who managed to track down gunman and former Army reservist, Robert Card.
Lewiston police chief Dave St Pierre told reporters that the work of police was "not done", as investigators continue to look into the circumstances surrounding Card's death. Mr St Pierre said there continues to be a lot of work to be done at the scene of Card's death.
More details will be given at a press conference on Saturday afternoon (28 October).
The 40-year-old from Bowdoin, Maine, was a US Army reservist who underwent a mental health evaluation in mid-July after he reportedly began acting erratically during training.
Card had been sought since the Wednesday night shootings, and murder warrants were issued against him.
Police dive teams began searching water on Friday (27 October), near to where a vehicle belonging to Card was found abandoned after the shooting.
A shelter in place order was issued across 700 square miles of the state following the shooting - it was lifted just under 48 hours after the shooting.