Authorities confirmed the death of the gunman in the US state of Maine

Two days after the gun attack in the US state of Maine that left 18 dead, the suspect was found dead. The authorities confirmed the death of the suspected perpetrator, who had previously been searched intensively, on Friday evening (local time). US President Joe Biden renewed his promise to take action against “this epidemic of gun violence”.

“I breathe a sigh of relief tonight”

Maine Public Safety Commissioner Mike Sauschuck said the suspect died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities described the attacker as “armed and dangerous.” “He’s dead, the police (…) found the body,” said the governor of the northeastern US state, Janet Mills, to journalists. “I’m breathing a sigh of relief tonight knowing that Robert Card is no longer a threat to anyone,” Mills continued.

US media had previously reported, citing police, that the body was discovered about 13 kilometers outside the small town of Lewiston near a recycling plant. Card had worked at the facility before he was fired.

18 people shot dead

Card was a U.S. Army reservist. The 40-year-old shot 18 people and injured 13 others in a bowling center and bar in Lewiston. Police released a photo showing Card with a semi-automatic rifle at the bowling alley.

Among the victims identified by authorities Friday are an elderly couple and a 14-year-old boy who was killed along with his father. Among the dead in the bar were four men who were closely associated with the local school for the deaf and hard of hearing as former students, teachers or parents, said school principal Karen Hopkins. “It’s a difficult time. Our community is shaken right now.”

Free for two days

The discovery of the body was preceded by a major manhunt in which the police surrounded, among other things, the suspect’s family home. Forests were combed and divers searched a river. The fact that the shooter was at large for two days caused fear and terror. Residents were asked to stay in their homes and schools and shops remained closed.

According to the authorities, they received more than 530 tips about the possible whereabouts of the perpetrator. On Friday morning, emergency crews responded along the Androscoggin River, near where Card’s white SUV was found.

Under psychiatric treatment

According to media reports, Card was under psychiatric treatment for two weeks in the summer. According to ABC News, he threatened to attack a National Guard facility. NBC News, citing law enforcement officials, reported that Card had complained of “mental health issues” and was hearing voices, among other things.

The Lewiston attack was one of the bloodiest gun attacks in the United States since a massacre at a Las Vegas music festival that left 60 dead in 2017.

“End the gun violence epidemic”

In a statement released by the White House, President Biden emphasized that he will “continue to do everything in his power to end this epidemic of gun violence.” The Lewiston community and all U.S. citizens “deserve nothing less” than this.

Gun violence is a major problem in the USA. According to the prevailing legal opinion, the right to own weapons is enshrined in the US Constitution; there are more guns in the country than there are people.

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