PBS News Hour

AMNA NAWAZ: The community in and around Lewiston, Maine, is mourning the loss of at least 18 people killed in Wednesday's mass shootings.

Another 13 people were injured.

Nearly 48 hours later, the suspect still has not been found, and a massive manhunt continues, keeping residents on edge.

Laura Barron-Lopez reports from Lewiston.

LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: The hunt for the suspected gunman in Lewiston's deadly shooting rampage is intensifying.

David St. Pierre is the city's police chief.

DAVID ST. PIERRE, Lewiston, Maine, Police Chief: The safety of our committee remains paramount.

I want to assure all that a tremendous and one of law enforcement, manpower, time and effort is being utilized around the clock, literally around the clock, in every effort to apprehend the suspect, as well as the safe to safeguard this community.

LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: Hundreds of police and FBI agents are searching the area for traces of Robert Card's whereabouts.

The U.S. Army Reservist had been treated for two weeks at a mental health facility this past summer.

He's believed to be armed and dangerous.

MIKE SAUSCHUCK, Commissioner, Maine Department of Public Safety: I think that every minute that this goes on, we're more and more concerned, because what's the next thing that's going to happen?

There's no question in my mind that we will bring this individual into custody one way or the other.

LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: Divers are searching the waters of the Androscoggin river near a boat launch where the suspect's car was found.

Last night, heavily armed law enforcement officials surrounded Card's home in nearby Bowdoin, but didn't find him.

As the sprawling manhunt continues, tens of thousands of residents in and around Lewiston have been sheltering in place and living in fear.

Stores and schools remain closed.

Betsy Saltonstall colleague was killed at the shooting at Schemengees Bar and Grille.

Joshua Seal was a sign language interpreter and member of a deaf cornhole team taking part in a competition at the bar at the time of the rampage.

BETSY SALTONSTALL, Rockport, Maine, Resident: You hear about these things happening in other places and feel so proud and protective of Maine.

And having it happen in your backyard and knowing somebody personally that's been killed is traumatic.

LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: She said Joshua's death is a tremendous loss for the community.

BETSY SALTONSTALL: It was very clear to me that Josh made his mission about helping the deaf and hard-of-hearing community here in Maine.

It is not often that you get to meet people who are so gifted and committed to helping others in a way that is going to move the needle and help others.

And that was really evident that that was his superpower, helping others and making a difference.

LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: Bryan Cassidy co-founded the same cornhole league that Joshua played in.

Three of his friends were killed at Schemengees.

BRYAN CASSIDY, Lewiston, Maine, Resident: Joey Walker was a good friend.

He would give you his shirt off his back.

He'd help anybody.

And then Ron Morin, that guy was a shining ray of light.

He'd smile, make everybody smile all the time.

Billy Brackett, he's part of the deaf community.

The guy was a kind soul.

LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: Normally, Cassidy would have been there.

BRYAN CASSIDY: We went every -- every Wednesday night.

And we decided to get groceries that night.

And it killed me, because, if I was there, I could have helped stop that.

LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: How long do you think it's going to take for the community to recover from this?

BRYAN CASSIDY: It's going to take a long time, long time.

I don't see how we're ever going to come back from it.

LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: Rob Young can't believe he will never see his brother and nephew again.

ROB YOUNG, Family Member of Shooting Victims: We're all broken.

LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: Bill and Aaron young were killed when the gunman opened fire at the Just-In-Time bowling alley.

ROB YOUNG: We woke up this morning all hoping it was a nightmare, that this isn't what really happened.

I mean, this still doesn't feel real sitting here is talking to you.

LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: Fourteen-year-old Aaron loved bowling, scoring a 275 earlier this month.

A sweet and smart kid, the family had big dreams for him.

ROB YOUNG: He tried out karate, didn't like hitting people, so he stopped.

(LAUGHTER) ROB YOUNG: He was like, ah, no.

LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: Turned to bowling.

ROB YOUNG: Yes, yes.

LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: As Rob holds on to happier memories, he also wants answers.

How would you describe the way state officials have handled communication?

ROB YOUNG: Oh, it was chaotic.

It was chaotic.

There's obviously no plan in place.

No family should have to wait 17 hours to find -- to find the answer to if their loved one is in a hospital dead or being interviewed as a witness.

The wait was just as bad as hearing the news.

And it shouldn't happen to any family, having to wait that long.

LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: The close-knit community is preparing to hold vigils for the victims of the Lewiston shootings in the days ahead.

Lewiston is the second biggest city in Maine, but people here say it truly is a small town, with less than 40,000 people living here.

The entire community is feeling this loss, Geoff.

GEOFF BENNETT: And, Laura, I know you have been reporting in Lewiston and the neighboring towns today.

What's it like there right now, as the suspect remains at large?

LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: So, roughly 48 hours since the shooting, Geoff, and the shelter-in-place in Lewiston and all of the other towns where it was in place has been lifted as of tonight, local authorities said.

But that doesn't mean that the situation is not dangerous.

They say it's still dangerous, that the town is still in crisis and that they urge people to remain vigilant, Geoff.

They lifted the order because they want to allow people to go to doctors, to go to pharmacies, to go to school.

And just to give you a little bit more of a sense about how it's been feeling here, Geoff, I spoke to Greg Marley.

He's a clinical director at a statewide organization in Maine that services people - - provides mental health services.

And he said that their help line, typically, they have one person manning it.

They have had to have three to four to help provide trauma services and counseling.

GEOFF BENNETT: As was clear in your report, the reaction has been one of grief, anger and frustration.

As you have been speaking to people there, what have they told you about specific actions or reforms they want to see in response to these shootings?

LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: Democratic Congressman Jared Golden of Maine said that he now supports a ban on assault weapons.

He didn't previously supported, had voted against it in the past.

But local state representatives, as well as local residents here, tell me that they want to see a red flag law put in place.

Currently, Maine has a yellow flag law.

Now, the difference there, Geoff, is that a red flag law allows family members, police members to petition a judge to temporarily take away guns from a person that they deem a threat that may have a mental health issue.

Now, a yellow flag law requires police to first seek a medical evaluation before they can go to a judge to petition to then temporarily take away a person's guns.

GEOFF BENNETT: Laura Barron-Lopez reporting tonight in Lewiston, Maine.

Laura, thank you.

We want to take a moment now to remember those killed in the shootings.

Authorities released the names of all 18 people late this afternoon.

They range in age from 14 to 76 years old.

They include employees at the bowling alley and bar, advocates in the deaf community, a father of two with a baby on the way, and a father of five who just minutes before was playing pool with his own dad.

Here are the names of the 18 people lost.

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