LEWISTON, MAINE: Chad Hopkins, a survivor of the mass shooting that unfolded in Maine, has shared his horrifying experience from the massacre that left at least 18 people dead on Wednesday, October 25.
On the fateful evening, Hopkins was at Sparetime Recreation in Lewiston, Maine, indulging in a casual game of bowling when he heard rounds of gunfire erupt.
Chaos erupt as bowling night takes a dark turn
Describing the shocking moment, Hopkins recalled, "It caught us all by surprise." The evening marked the beginning of an hours-long ordeal that sent shockwaves across the city, located about 35 miles south of Portland.
While much of Lewiston and its surroundings remained on lockdown, law enforcement launched an intensive search for the suspected perpetrator, Robert Card, a 40-year-old firearms instructor with documented mental health concerns.
The tranquility of Hopkins' bowling league competition was shattered when the shooting commenced. "We were about four frames in before the shooting started," he said, noting, "I turned to the rest of the bowling league and I screamed to get out," The US Sun reported.
Amidst the chaos, Hopkins and his mother found themselves among the hundreds of bowlers desperately attempting to escape through a single exit, triggering a "mad rush" for survival. Tragically, not everyone managed to escape unharmed.
Who was Tricia Asselin?
Hopkins lost a close friend, Tricia Asselin, who was fatally shot while trying to call 911. Speaking of Tricia, Hopkins said she was "like a sister" and highlighted her selfless nature. Even on the night of the incident, while off-duty from the bowling alley, she was tirelessly assisting others and contributing to community well-being, notably through fundraising for the Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. "All she does is help others," Hopkins said.
As Hopkins finally made it outside, he summoned the courage to call 911, providing crucial information that might have led to the identification of the suspect. At the time, he may have witnessed Robert leaving the scene in his Subaru SUV, unaware of his identity. "Eventually, the killer took his white car and drove by us. At the time we didn't know it was him," Hopkins said.
In the wake of the shooting, Hopkins has struggled with the trauma, particularly when trying to sleep. "When you close your eyes to rest, you hope you don't get triggered into having a dream or a nightmare. I haven't been able to close my eyes yet without reliving that scenario over and over. It's taking [over] my entire thought process," he claimed.
A night of unending terror as second tragedy strikes
The horrifying night didn't end with the bowling alley shooting, as another incident occurred around 8 pm at Schemengees Bar and Grille, located a short distance away. The aftermath of the tragedy saw dozens of victims flooding nearby hospitals, including the Central Maine Medical Center.
Hopkins admitted that witnessing such a horrific rampage has forever changed him, describing it as a life-altering event. While the motive for the shooting remains unclear, authorities have labeled Robert as "armed and dangerous." The search for the suspect continues, and anyone who encounters him is urged to contact the police.
