PORTLAND, Maine – The aftermath of the deadliest mass shooting in Maine’s history unfolded in a series of frantic 911 calls, with callers describing scenes of chaos, fear, and confusion. The shooting took place on October 25, and transcripts of the 911 calls were released on Monday, shedding light on the tension and fear that gripped the community during the tragic event.
The 911 calls captured harrowing moments of individuals hiding, searching for loved ones, and tending to the injured as shots rang out at a bowling alley and then at a bar. Throughout the calls, dispatchers provided guidance and encouragement to the callers, reassuring them and advising them to stay hidden until the police arrived.
The transcripts revealed that there were a total of 50 911 calls made within a span of just over 50 minutes to the dispatch centers operated by Lewiston-Auburn and Androscoggin County. The calls detailed the chaos and confusion of not being able to distinguish between the shooter and potential help, leaving survivors terrified and uncertain of their safety.
The caller identified the shooter as Robert Card, and detailed Card’s deteriorating mental health, as known to the community, and his possession of firearms, raising concerns about potential danger to the community. This information corroborated previous police and military statements about Card’s mental health and behavior.
The tragic event resulted in the loss of 18 lives and left 13 others wounded, prompting a lockdown and sparking a massive manhunt. The gunman’s body was discovered two days later, and an autopsy confirmed that he died by suicide. An independent commission appointed by Gov. Janet Mills is currently investigating all aspects of the shootings, particularly focusing on why warning signs about Card’s mental health were disregarded.
The tragedy has prompted renewed discussions about the importance of addressing mental health issues and enforcing regulations surrounding firearm access, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.