On the evening of October 25, 2023, Bryan MacFarlane, a 41-year-old Caucasian male, was enjoying a night out with friends at Schemengees Bar & Grille in Lewiston, Maine. A beloved member of the deaf community, he was participating in a cornhole tournament, a regular gathering for him and his friends. This ordinary evening of camaraderie was shattered when a gunman opened fire, tragically cutting short the lives of MacFarlane and several others in a devastating act of violence that would become
the deadliest mass shooting in Maine's history.
Having recently moved back to Maine, MacFarlane was known for his love of the outdoors, including riding his motorcycle and snowmobiling. He had overcome significant obstacles in his life, notably becoming one of the first deaf individuals in Vermont to obtain a commercial driver's license, a source of immense pride for him and his family. His warm presence and the joy he found in simple pleasures, like spending time with his dog M&M, were cherished by those who knew him.
The perpetrator of this horrific act was identified as 40-year-old Robert Card, a U.S. Army Reservist from Bowdoin, Maine. The attack began at the Just-In-Time Recreation bowling alley before continuing at Schemengees Bar & Grille. In the wake of the shootings, which claimed 18 lives and left 13 others wounded, a massive manhunt was launched for Card. The search, which involved hundreds of law enforcement officers, put the state of Maine on edge as residents were urged to shelter in place.
After a two-day search that gripped the nation, Robert Card was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a tractor-trailer at a recycling center in Lisbon, Maine, where he had previously been employed. Investigations into his motive revealed a history of mental health struggles. Family and acquaintances reported that in the months leading up to the shooting, Card had become increasingly paranoid, believing that people were talking about him. He had also been committed to a mental health facility for two weeks in the summer of 2023 after exhibiting erratic behavior and making threats. While a definitive motive remains elusive, his deteriorating mental state is believed to have been a significant factor in the tragic events of that night.
