LEWINSTON MAINE MASS SHOOTING CASE STUDY
1. What Happened in the Case
On October 25, 2023, Robert Russell Card II, a 40-year-old U.S. Army Reservist, shot in two
locations two places Just-in-time Recreation bowling alley and Schemengees Bar & Grille in
Lewiston, Maine. The shooting lasted about 14 minutes and led to the killing of 18 individuals
making it the bloodiest mass shooting in the history of Maine. Following the shootings, Card
took off and a multi-day manhunt was initiated with local, state, and federal authorities involved
(CBS News, 2024). A self-inflicted gunshot wound known to end the search was discovered that
killed Card, in Lisbon, Maine, on October 27, 2023, thereby assuring that no criminal trial would
take place.
1.a. Who Was Harmed? How?
Patrons and employees at the bowling alley and bar were the main victims, as they became the
target of uncontrollable gunshots in crowded and unprotected places. A total of eighteen people
died due to gunshot wounds and thirteen others got nonfatal gunshot wounds. Other than the
physically injured, several people who were in the scenes of the attack such as children, families,
staff members and first responders were subjected to extreme violence and fear and thus they
were at a significant risk of long-term psychological damages.
1.b. How Many Survivors Were Shot but Survived?
The attack left thirteen people who survived after being shot. These victims needed urgent
medical care and some of them were operated under emergency care as their injuries were that
bad. Though everyone survived, most of them still have persistent physical and chronic pain and
emotional distresses as a result of the shooting.
1.b.i. What Types of Injuries Did They Get? Provide Two Specific Examples
The injuries sustained by the survivors were a variety of severe injuries that are characteristic of
the high-velocity attacks of firearms. There was one known survivor: Tom Giberti, a bowling
alley worker, who was shot several times in both legs, trying to assist others in escaping, but he
was injured on the shrapnel as well, and had to undergo surgery, which was followed by a long
period of recovery. Other survivors were shot on extremities or torso, which caused them to have
, internal injuries, loss of blood and permanent mobility problems, which depicts how devastating
the physical effects of mass shooting can be even amongst those who survived the mass
shooting.
1.c. How Many Survivors Were Not Shot but Likely Have Psychological Symptoms,
Including PTSD?
Though no specific figure has officially been created, there is agreement that dozens or even
hundreds of people who were present at the shootings were never physically harmed, but are
most probably having a psychological trauma. Among them are patrons who fled, children who
were present during youth bowling activities, employees and witnesses who witnessed or heard
gunshots. Studies of mass violence constantly reveal that the percentage of post-traumatic stress
disorder, anxiety, depression, and survivor guilt among those who have witnessed this event is
high, which is why the psychological trauma is a rather important and long-term effect of the
shootings in Lewiston.
1.d. What Is the Current Legal Status of the Case?
The shooter committed suicide and thus no criminal charges against him. The case however, is
still pending under civil legal system. Families of survivors and victims have also filed federal
lawsuits against the U.S. Army and Department of Defense on negligence and inaction on
obvious warning signs of increasingly poor mental health and threats of violence on the part of
Card. The legal aspects of such a case continue as these lawsuits demand accountability,
revisions of policies, and damages.
2. How Were the Guns Obtained? How Many Did He Have? Were They Legally
Purchased?
Robert Card also owned several guns, among them a Ruger SFAR.308 semi-automatic rifle that
was used to perpetuate the shootings, a Smith and Wesson semi-automatic pistol and a second
rifle that did not discharge. The weapons were not owned by one of the family members, but by
Card himself who legally bought and owned them. In spite of the mental health issues being
documented, and the previous hospitalization of Card in earlier 2023, he was still allowed to
access his privately held weapons (WMTW-TV, 2024). The given point of the case has become
1. What Happened in the Case
On October 25, 2023, Robert Russell Card II, a 40-year-old U.S. Army Reservist, shot in two
locations two places Just-in-time Recreation bowling alley and Schemengees Bar & Grille in
Lewiston, Maine. The shooting lasted about 14 minutes and led to the killing of 18 individuals
making it the bloodiest mass shooting in the history of Maine. Following the shootings, Card
took off and a multi-day manhunt was initiated with local, state, and federal authorities involved
(CBS News, 2024). A self-inflicted gunshot wound known to end the search was discovered that
killed Card, in Lisbon, Maine, on October 27, 2023, thereby assuring that no criminal trial would
take place.
1.a. Who Was Harmed? How?
Patrons and employees at the bowling alley and bar were the main victims, as they became the
target of uncontrollable gunshots in crowded and unprotected places. A total of eighteen people
died due to gunshot wounds and thirteen others got nonfatal gunshot wounds. Other than the
physically injured, several people who were in the scenes of the attack such as children, families,
staff members and first responders were subjected to extreme violence and fear and thus they
were at a significant risk of long-term psychological damages.
1.b. How Many Survivors Were Shot but Survived?
The attack left thirteen people who survived after being shot. These victims needed urgent
medical care and some of them were operated under emergency care as their injuries were that
bad. Though everyone survived, most of them still have persistent physical and chronic pain and
emotional distresses as a result of the shooting.
1.b.i. What Types of Injuries Did They Get? Provide Two Specific Examples
The injuries sustained by the survivors were a variety of severe injuries that are characteristic of
the high-velocity attacks of firearms. There was one known survivor: Tom Giberti, a bowling
alley worker, who was shot several times in both legs, trying to assist others in escaping, but he
was injured on the shrapnel as well, and had to undergo surgery, which was followed by a long
period of recovery. Other survivors were shot on extremities or torso, which caused them to have
, internal injuries, loss of blood and permanent mobility problems, which depicts how devastating
the physical effects of mass shooting can be even amongst those who survived the mass
shooting.
1.c. How Many Survivors Were Not Shot but Likely Have Psychological Symptoms,
Including PTSD?
Though no specific figure has officially been created, there is agreement that dozens or even
hundreds of people who were present at the shootings were never physically harmed, but are
most probably having a psychological trauma. Among them are patrons who fled, children who
were present during youth bowling activities, employees and witnesses who witnessed or heard
gunshots. Studies of mass violence constantly reveal that the percentage of post-traumatic stress
disorder, anxiety, depression, and survivor guilt among those who have witnessed this event is
high, which is why the psychological trauma is a rather important and long-term effect of the
shootings in Lewiston.
1.d. What Is the Current Legal Status of the Case?
The shooter committed suicide and thus no criminal charges against him. The case however, is
still pending under civil legal system. Families of survivors and victims have also filed federal
lawsuits against the U.S. Army and Department of Defense on negligence and inaction on
obvious warning signs of increasingly poor mental health and threats of violence on the part of
Card. The legal aspects of such a case continue as these lawsuits demand accountability,
revisions of policies, and damages.
2. How Were the Guns Obtained? How Many Did He Have? Were They Legally
Purchased?
Robert Card also owned several guns, among them a Ruger SFAR.308 semi-automatic rifle that
was used to perpetuate the shootings, a Smith and Wesson semi-automatic pistol and a second
rifle that did not discharge. The weapons were not owned by one of the family members, but by
Card himself who legally bought and owned them. In spite of the mental health issues being
documented, and the previous hospitalization of Card in earlier 2023, he was still allowed to
access his privately held weapons (WMTW-TV, 2024). The given point of the case has become
