Lewiston shootings: Thousands of pages of documents released related to shooting, response
Lewiston Strong A Lewiston Strong sign is seen after two mass shootings on October 27, 2023, in Lewiston, Maine. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
By Jessica Goodman, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
LEWISTON, Maine — On Friday, the Maine Department of Public Safety released thousands of pages of documents detailing the deadly shooting and response in Lewiston, Maine, in October 2023.
The documents include reports from the Maine State Police and other law enforcement agencies, WMTW reported.
Some of the documents detail when officers arrived at the two shooting scenes, The Associated Press reported. This included not knowing if the shooter was still there and information about victims and survivors. It provided officer’s firsthand accounts.
The documents detailed the response that included 16 SWAT team and officers from 14 different agencies, State Police Lt. Tyler Stevenson wrote, according to the AP. Eight helicopters and additional airplanes and an underwater recovery team were also used.
The documents also reportedly include what the FBI knew about the shooter, Robert Card, during their two-day manhunt, WMTW reported. They also had new information about his mental state on the day of the shooting and where he was before the shooting.
The documents were released because of the Freedom of Access Act requests that the AP and other outlets made.
Card left a note behind that was included in the documents that said he wanted to be left alone, the Portland Press Herald reported, according to the AP. The note also had his phone password and other account passwords.
The documents were released as a final report from the independent commission is expected, WMTW reported. That report is believed to be the final one that will go over the shooting and the circumstances around it.
Card allegedly opened fire in a bowling alley and bar on Oct. 25. Eighteen people were killed and more than a dozen were injured.
Card was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, the AP reported. He was found two days after a search.
Lewiston shootings Police respond to an active shooter situation in Lewiston, Maine, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) (Robert F. Bukaty/AP)
Lewiston shootings A sign advises residents to stay home, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023, following a mass shooting at a restaurant and a bowling alley in Lewiston, Maine. Police continue to search for the suspect. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) (Robert F. Bukaty/AP)
Lewiston shootings This photo released by the Lewiston Maine Police Department shows Robert Card, who police have identified as a person of interest in connection to mass shootings in Lewiston, Maine, on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023. ( Lewiston Maine Police Department via AP) (AP)
Lewiston shootings In this image taken from video released by the Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office, an unidentified gunman points a gun while entering Sparetime Recreation in Lewiston, Maine, on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023. Maine State Police ordered residents in the state's second-largest city to shelter in place Wednesday night as the suspect remains at large. (Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office via AP) (AP)
Lewiston shootings In this image taken from video released by the Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office, an unidentified gunman points a gun while entering Sparetime Recreation in Lewiston, Maine, on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023. Maine State Police ordered residents in the state's second-largest city to shelter in place Wednesday night as the suspect remains at large. (Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office via AP) (AP)
Lewiston shootings In this image taken from video released by the Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office, an unidentified gunman points a gun while entering Sparetime Recreation in Lewiston, Maine, on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023. Maine State Police ordered residents in the state's second-largest city to shelter in place Wednesday night as the suspect remains at large. (Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office via AP) (AP)
Lewiston shootings This photo released by the Lewiston, Maine, Police Department on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023, shows a vehicle police are seeking information on in connection to an active shooter situation in Lewiston, Maine. (Lewiston Maine Police Department via AP) (AP)
Lewiston shootings A law enforcement officer carries a rifle outside Central Maine Medical Center during an active shooter situation, in Lewiston, Maine, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (Steven Senne/AP)
Lewiston shootings Law enforcement officers carry rifles outside Central Maine Medical Center during an active shooter situation, in Lewiston, Maine, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (Steven Senne/AP)
Lewiston shootings People depart an emergency department entrance at Central Maine Medical Center, past a member of security, behind right, during an active shooter situation, in Lewiston, Maine, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (Steven Senne/AP)
Lewiston shootings People stand outside a reunification center early Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023, at Auburn Middle School in Auburn, Maine, after shootings Wednesday at a bar and a bowling alley in Lewiston, Maine. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (Steven Senne/AP)
Lewiston shootings People depart a reunification center early Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023, at Auburn Middle School, in Auburn, Maine, after shootings in Lewiston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (Steven Senne/AP)
Lewiston shootings A woman is hugged by a man at a reunification center at Auburn Middle School, in Auburn, Maine, after shootings in Lewiston on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023. (Derek Davis/Portland Press Herald via AP) (Derek Davis/AP)
Lewiston shootings Law enforcement gather outside Schemengee's Bar and Grille, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023, in Lewiston, Maine. Residents have been ordered to shelter in place as police continue to search for the suspect of Wednesday's mass shooting at the bar. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) (Robert F. Bukaty/AP)
Lewiston shootings Law enforcement officers carry rifles outside Central Maine Medical Center during an active shooter situation, in Lewiston, Maine, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (Steven Senne/AP)
Lewiston shootings Police respond to an active shooter situation in Lewiston, Maine, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) (Robert F. Bukaty/AP)
Lewiston shootings A member of security, center right, stands at an emergency department entrance at Central Maine Medical Center during an active shooter situation, in Lewiston, Maine, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (Steven Senne/AP)
Lewiston shootings A sign signals the public to shelter in place during an active shooter situation on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023, in Lewiston, Maine. (Derek Davis/Portland Press Herald via AP) (Derek Davis/AP)
Lewiston shootings A police officer walks along a rural road during a manhunt for the suspect of Wednesday's mass shootings, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023, in Lisbon, Maine. The shootings took place at a restaurant and bowling alley in nearby Lewiston, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) (Robert F. Bukaty/AP)
Lewiston shootings LEWISTON, MAINE - OCTOBER 26: A police officer blocks access to the road to Sparetime Recreation on October 26, 2023 in Lewiston, Maine. Police are still searching for the suspect in the mass shooting, Robert Card, who killed over 15 people in two separate shootings. (Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images) (Scott Eisen/Getty Images)
Lewiston shootings LEWISTON, MAINE - OCTOBER 26: A police officer blocks access to the road to Sparetime Recreation on October 26, 2023 in Lewiston, Maine. Police are still searching for the suspect in the mass shooting, Robert Card, who killed over 15 people in two separate shootings. (Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images) (Scott Eisen/Getty Images)
Lewiston shootings LEWISTON, MAINE - OCTOBER 26: The side of Sparetime Recreation on October 26, 2023 in Lewiston, Maine. Police are still searching for the suspect in the mass shooting, Robert Card, who killed over 15 people in two separate shootings. (Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images) (Scott Eisen/Getty Images)
Lewiston shootings LEWISTON, MAINE - OCTOBER 26: Law enforcement officials investigate outside the Schemengees Bar and Grille on October 26, 2023 in Lewiston, Maine. Police are still searching for the suspect in the mass shooting, Robert Card, who killed over 15 people in two separate shootings. (Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images) (Scott Eisen/Getty Images)
Lewiston shootings LEWISTON, MAINE - OCTOBER 26: A police officer blocks access to the road to Sparetime Recreation on October 26, 2023 in Lewiston, Maine. Police are still searching for the suspect in the mass shooting, Robert Card, who killed over 15 people in two separate shootings. (Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images) (Scott Eisen/Getty Images)
Lewiston shootings Three vehicles transport the victims killed at Schemengees Bar and Grille, on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023, in Lewiston, Maine. The restaurant was the site of one of the two mass shootings in Lewiston on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) (Robert F. Bukaty/AP)
Lewiston shootings LEWISTON, MAINE - OCTOBER 26: Maine Governor Janet Mills speaks during a press conference about the mass shooting on October 26, 2023 in Lewiston, Maine. Police are still searching for the suspect in the shooting, Robert Card, who allegedly killed 18 people in two separate locations. (Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images) (Scott Eisen/Getty Images)
Lewiston shootings LEWISTON, MAINE - OCTOBER 26: Jodie Cohen, Special Agent in charge of the FBI's Boston branch, gives an update during a press conference about the mass shooting on October 26, 2023 in Lewiston, Maine. Police are still searching for the suspect in the shooting, Robert Card, who allegedly killed 18 people in two separate locations on Wednesday night. (Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images) (Scott Eisen/Getty Images)
Lewiston vigil: Mourners comfort one another at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul during Sunday's vigil. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Lewiston vigil: Mourners gather at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul for a remembrance ceremony. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Lewiston vigil: Mourners embrace at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul for a remembrance ceremony. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Lewiston vigil: Mourners embrace at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul during Sunday's vigil. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Lewiston vigil: Gov. Janet Mills and Maine's U.S. senators, Susan Collins and Angus King sit together at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul during Sunday's vigil. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Lewiston vigil: Mourners gather at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul for a remembrance ceremony in Lewiston, Maine. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Lewiston vigil: An overflow crowd watches a television screen as it broadcasts from inside the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul during Sunday's vigil. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Lewiston vigil: An overflow crowd watches a television screen as it broadcasts from inside the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Lewiston. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Lewiston vigil: An overflow crowd watches a television screen as it broadcasts from inside the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Lewiston vigil: Crowds gathered outside the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul to watch television screens broadcasting Sunday's vigil in Lewiston. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)