Following the horrific mass shooting in Maine, investigators have found a mysterious note in the suspected shooter's home as the search for him is still ongoing.
The horrifying incidents were confirmed to have occurred at two locations - Schemengees Bar and Grille and Sparetime Recreation - on October 25.
As reported by NBC News, the death toll now stands at 18, and 13 others have been wounded. An arrest warrant for eight counts of murder has been issued as only eight victims have currently been identified.
In a chilling development, investigators have stumbled upon a cryptic note at the residence of the alleged Maine mass shooter, Robert Card. As the manhunt for the fugitive intensifies, the US Coast Guard has now joined the massive search efforts.
The discovery of the mysterious note came as authorities executed a search warrant at Card's disheveled house in Bowdoin on Thursday.
The contents of the note have not been disclosed, leaving investigators striving to unlock any potential clues it may hold regarding the motive behind the horrifying bloodshed on Wednesday night.
Simultaneously, the US Coast Guard has entered the fray by deploying a surveillance plane and boats from Boothbay to assist in the manhunt for the alleged mass killer.
The search operation already involves a coalition of local, county, state, and federal agents. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Third-Class Diolanda Caballero informed NBC about their involvement in the pursuit.
Card's car was discovered near a boat launch in Lisbon, situated nearly 8 miles from the scene of the shootings. The Messenger has reported that a 15-foot boat, believed to belong to Card, is currently missing.
Retired NYPD chief Robert Louden offered insights into Card's possible whereabouts, highlighting that the trained marksman and skilled outdoorsman might have ventured into the woods, making the search for him akin to "a spider's web."
Louden stated: "From that parking area where he dumped his car there's four distinct possibilities. He killed himself. He got on a boat and went down that little river that's there.
"He went into another car or motorcycle or something that was waiting for him, or there's a hiking trail. He could be in the woods someplace. And so it's like a spider's web going out - and you've got to follow all those pieces of the web."
Reports indicate that Card enlisted in the military in 2002 and was previously hospitalized at a mental health facility in July after displaying erratic behavior while stationed at Camp Smith, near the military academy at West Point.
Among the victims were members of Lewiston's deaf community, who were engaged in a friendly cornhole competition at Schemengees Bar & Grille when the assailant entered, armed with an assault rifle.
Our thoughts remain with those affected by this horrific act of violence.
