Maine Gunman Reportedly Targeted Deaf Community Amid Mental Health Struggles
By Kristin Myers on October 27, 2023 at 7:15 AM EDT
Updated on October 27, 2023 at 7:22 AM EDT
New details are emerging about the shooting in Lewiston, Maine.
The suspect, Robert Card, is allegedly responsible for killing at least 18 people and injuring over a dozen more in two senseless acts of violence on Wednesday night.
According to new details, it appears that the shooter might have targeted numerous deaf individuals and members of the Deaf community after he had been prescribed hearing aids.
Maine Gunman Possibly Targeted Deaf Community In Mass Shooting
On Friday, new details emerged that the suspected gunman had specifically targeted members of the Deaf community at a bowling alley and a bar in Lewiston, Maine. In total, 18 people were killed and 13 were injured in the senseless act of violence on Wednesday, October 25, 2023.
In the months before the shooting, the suspected gunman had been prescribed a hearing aid, according to the Daily Mail. Sources have indicated that the previously sectioned Army reserve firearms instructor claimed to have heard people criticizing him at Schemengee's Bar, which was the location of the second shooting.
Around 7 PM on Wednesday night, the 40-year-old opened fire at the Just-In-Time Recreation bowling alley. Seven were killed at that location. The Bowdon, Maine, native then entered Schemengees Bar & Grille, where he killed eight more. Three other individuals passed away from their injuries while receiving treatment at a nearby hospital.
At Least Four Deaf Community Members Killed In Deadly Attack
The Deaf community has identified four members of the Deaf community that were killed at Schemengees: Bryan MacFarlane, Steve Vozzella, Bill Brackett, and Joshua Seal. The suspect’s sister-in-law claimed that he felt that people in the eatery were “bashing” him for his hearing loss in an interview with The Daily Beast.
It is worth noting that "deaf" refers to the physical state of deafness while "Deaf" refers to a group of people that share a common language - American Sign Language - and a culture. Not all individuals who are deaf identify as members of the Deaf community.
On Thursday, Katie Card told the outlet, “He truly believed he was hearing people say things. This all just happened within the last few months,” adding that the suspected gunman would “get mad” if anyone tried to say that no one was talking about him.
She went on to indicate that the alleged gunman was having struggles with his mental health over the past year, adding, “I have known Rob my whole life. He is quiet but the most loving, hardworking, and kind person that I know. But in the past year, he had an acute episode of mental health, and it's been a struggle.”
Robert Card is still on the run and has yet to be apprehended by law enforcement. “We know he is out there and he is a good person in his heart,” Katie continued. “After all of this, when he has time to reflect, he will be disgusted. We all want him to know that we love him and that we can handle things as a family. He just has to reach out and do the right thing.”
American Sign Language Interpreter Joshua Seal Was Killed In The Attack
American Sign Language interpreter Joshua Seal, 40, was also killed In the attack. The father of four served as a director of interpreting services for the Pine Tree Society and was known through the state as the primary interpreter for Dr. Nirav Shah’s pandemic briefings in 2020.
A statement from Pine Tree Society read, “The tragic events in Lewiston last evening hit close to home at Pine Tree Society. It is with great sorrow we share that Joshua Seal was killed in the shooting. Joshua was our Director of Interpreting Services.”
“He was a husband, a father of four, and a tireless advocate for the Deaf community. He was committed to creating safe space for Deaf people and was widely known as the ASL interpreter for Dr. Shah’s pandemic briefings,” they continued. “The ripple effects of his loss will be felt by countless Maine people. Pine Tree Society offices will remain closed Friday, October 27 as we mourn and honor our friend and colleague, Josh.”
Many followers shared their condolences. “Such a tragic loss of life. There are no words, just heartbreak for this man, his family, his colleagues, and all those in the Deaf community who have benefited from his service,” one user commented. “There are no words that are adequate at a time such as this, I am so sorry for the huge losses to the Deaf community. Sending much love from this [Vermont] interpreter to you all,” another shared.
