LEWISTON, Maine — The 911 transcripts of the deadliest mass shooting in Maine history, which took place on October 25, have been released. The transcripts reveal the chaos and fear that unfolded as terrified callers reported the shooter’s location and pleaded for help.
During the shooting, emergency calls flooded dispatch centers as a gunman armed with an assault rifle opened fire at a bowling alley and then at a bar. The 911 transcripts, released in response to a Freedom of Access Act request by multiple news organizations, captured tense moments, including dispatchers providing encouragement and instructions to callers while they awaited police arrival.
The transcripts also shed light on the harrowing experiences of the callers, with one reporting their child being injured in the shooting. In another call, a terrified individual pleaded for help, expressing concern about the shooter’s whereabouts. Another caller, who had seen a picture of the suspect online, correctly identified him as Robert Card of Bowdoin, describing his deteriorating mental health state and the potential danger he posed to the community.
The shooting resulted in the deaths of 18 people and 13 others being wounded. The Army reservist who carried out the massacre was later found dead by suicide after a massive manhunt that prompted a lockdown for tens of thousands of residents. An independent commission appointed by Gov. Janet Mills is investigating all aspects of the shootings, particularly concerning the warning signs about Card’s mental health that were allegedly overlooked.
It was revealed that the shooter’s behavior raised concerns among his fellow reservists, who feared he may carry out a mass shooting. However, despite being hospitalized and restricted from accessing military weapons, laws aimed at removing guns from individuals posing a danger were not invoked. The sheriff’s office also visited the shooter’s home prior to the mass shootings, but they did not have the legal authority to take further action.
The FBI confirmed that the shooter wasn’t placed on a list of prohibited individuals who are not allowed to have guns after his hospitalization, raising questions about the response to warning signs. Additionally, laws in New York and Maine aimed at removing guns from individuals who pose a danger were not utilized. The website of the Maine Department of Public Safety has been updated to provide access to released documents related to the shooting.
Overall, the 911 transcripts of the Maine mass shooting provide a heartbreaking account of the terror and chaos that unfolded that day. The investigation into the shooting continues as officials seek to understand why warning signs about the shooter’s deteriorating mental health were seemingly overlooked, leading to such a devastating tragedy.