Mass Shooting with 18 Killed in Maine, USA - Bishop Robert Deeley says "let us raise up our prayers, asking God to give strength"

 

On October 25, 2023, a mass shooting occurred in two locations in Lewiston, Maine, United States. 18 people were killed and 13 others were injured. The Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office released a photo of a person of interest, while a manhunt is ongoing.

The shootings began at Just-In-Time Recreation, a bowling alley, where seven people were killed. 

Shortly after, a second shooting was reported at Schemengees Bar & Grille Restaurant, south of Just-In-Time. Eight people were killed at this location, and another three died later in hospital.

The Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office and Maine State Police alerted residents of an active shooter. The sheriff's office released images of the shooter using an assault-style weapon.[8]

 Pictures of a white male, named Robert Card, and a white 2013 Subaru Outback connected to the shootings[31] were released by the Sheriff's Office, who, according to the Sheriff's Office, remains at large and is "armed and dangerous". He was committed for two weeks to a mental health facility in summer 2023. Maine State Police has issued an arrest warrant citing eight counts of murder for a 40-year-old sergeant first class in the US Army Reserve who enlisted in December 2002. A US Army spokesperson confirmed that the suspect was a member of the Army Reserve but had no active deployments.

This is the 565th Mass Shooting in the USA in 2023. 

Statement of Bishop Robert Deeley in response to the Lewiston shootings

It is with profound sadness that I received the news of the mass shooting in Lewiston. It is heartbreaking to hear of lives lost and dozens injured and to know of the pain and grief that so many families are experiencing. We pray for all those impacted by this terrible violence, that the Lord may provide them with consolation in the midst of their sorrow. In this moment of trial and uncertainty, let us raise up our prayers, asking God to give strength to them and to our community now and in the coming days, and we ask him to protect our law enforcement officers as they seek to prevent further harm. Pray also for our hospital personnel and chaplains who are caring for the injured.

While it may seem impossible to find hope in a time such as this, we can draw hope from our spiritual roots, trusting that a loving God will not abandon us. As we pray to him in our various ways, may he strengthen us and show us the way forward during the difficult days that lie ahead.

Sources: https://web.archive.org/web/20231026171504/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/25/us/maine-shooting-gunman-army-suspect.html

https://portlanddiocese.org/news/statement-bishop-robert-deeley-response-lewiston-shootings