The debate about guns in the United States is once again in focus after the Lewiston massacre, in the state of Maine, where at least 16 people died on Wednesday night due to a shooting carried out by a 40-year-old man .
By going uncovered, the police have identified the murderer. This is Red Card, a shooting instructor with a history of violence and mental health problems. He is also believed to have been a soldier in the reserve, information not yet confirmed by authorities. Because his face was not covered, it was considered a suicide mission. However, after the two attacks armed with an Ar-15 rifle (first in a restaurant and then in a bowling alley) he fled and at this time he is still being sought and captured.
Hundreds of agents have been mobilized in the northeastern US state, near the border with Canada, to try to find Card. The authorities have asked citizens for support. They distributed information about the perpetrator of the shooting and an image of him. At the same time, they ask citizens of Lewiston and nearby towns not to leave their homes.
Shops were also closed earlier and schools will remain closed this Thursday until the individual is found. "If you see him, don't approach him" because "he is armed and dangerous." At the moment, only his vehicle has been located in the town of Lisbon, about ten kilometers from Lewiston, the second largest city in the state.
The police do not dare to give "a firm figure" and at the moment they are talking about between 16 and 22 victims, although there are dozens of injured and the death toll could increase. It is the deadliest shooting so far this year in the North American country and is feared to be one of the worst in history. Last year there were 59,000 deaths caused by guns, one every less than ten minutes.
American media indicate that Card was the father of three children. Divorced twice, he had a restraining order against his last wife. Sometimes arrested for sexist violence, he also has a history of child pornography and sexual crimes on his record.
He was admitted to a mental health facility for two weeks last summer (apparently he was hearing voices). He had also recently threatened to shoot up a base of the National Guard, the American reserve force made up of volunteers.
