WHEREAS, on October 25, 2023, Robert Card shot and killed 18 people and wounded 13 more in Lewiston, Maine; and

WHEREAS, on October 27, 2023, nearly 48 hours after these horrendous acts and a massive manhunt by law enforcement, the perpetrator of the violence was found deceased of a self-inflicted gunshot wound; and

WHEREAS, originally known as Armistice Day in recognition of the end of World War I on November 11th, 1918, the day was officially changed to Veterans Day in 1954 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower; and

WHEREAS, every November, people from across the nation gather to honor and salute veterans of all wars who have served our country throughout the years with dedication, patriotism, and courage; and

WHEREAS, according to the Maine DOT Crash Data database, a traffic crash was reported in Maine every 15 minutes, resulting in 33,925 traffic crashes in 2022; and

Hello, this is Governor Janet Mills and thank you for listening.

Well, like people all across Maine and across the nation, I am so deeply saddened by last week’s tragedy in Lewiston. Lewiston did not deserve this terrible assault on its citizens, on its peace of mind, on its sense of security. No city does. No state. No people.

I know Lewiston. I lived there, I worked there for fifteen years. I met and married my husband Stan there and it’s where the girls went to school. I love Lewiston, just as I love our whole state with my whole heart.

Right now, my Administration is focusing on making sure that the families of victims, those who are recovering, and those struggling in Lewiston and throughout the state, are fully supported during this difficult time.

Many people are asking how they can help as we begin the long process of healing.

So, we’ve launched an online resource called “Healing Together.” “Healing Together” identifies those places that are accepting financial donations – legitimate places – to support victims, families, first responders, and responding organizations. That website also contains information about mental health resources for any people who may be struggling.

“Healing Together” is available Maine.gov/governor/mills. That’s Maine.gov/governor/mills.

Coming together to love, comfort, and support each other is critical right now.

Another cornerstone of our ability to heal is to know the truth – in this case, it means knowing the facts of what happened on that tragic night, of the months that led up to it, and of the police response to it.

Knowing the full truth is not a quick and easy thing. And it’s important to recognize though, that from what we know so far, on a number of occasions over the last ten months, concerns about Mr. Card’s mental health and his behavior were brought to the attention of his Army Reserve Unit, as well as law enforcement agencies here in Maine and in New York. That fact raises crucial questions about actions taken and what more might have been done to prevent this tragedy from occurring.

I know that the Maine State Police are working hard to conduct a thorough and comprehensive criminal investigation of the shooting, but I also believe that the gravity of this attack on our people – an attack that strikes at the core of who we are and the values that we hold dear – that it demands a higher level of scrutiny.

So right now, I’m working with the Attorney General to formally establish a fully independent commission, whose charge will be to determine the facts surrounding the tragedy in Lewiston on October 25th, including the time that led up to it and the police response to it.

This commission will be comprised of independent experts with legal, investigative, and mental health backgrounds who can bring to bear their experiences and expertise in impartially determining and laying out the full facts. I hope to formally announce this commission and its membership next week so that it may conduct itself with a due sense of urgency, and above all else, follow the facts wherever they may lead.

This – the complete facts and circumstances, including any failures – must be brought to light and must be known by all. The families of the victims, and those who were injured, those who are recovering, and you, the people of Maine, and the nation deserve nothing less.

Maine people have been feeling a range of emotions this past week, from shock and sadness to anxiety and fear to grief and anger. I myself have felt many of these emotions, and I am sure we’ll all feel these things in the coming days and weeks. And I want you to know this: if you feel this way, it’s okay.

Please remember if you need support, you can text or call 9-8-8 for free and confidential mental health advice counseling, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

This is Governor Janet Mills – please keep the faith, stay strong—and thank you for listening.

WHEREAS, 2023 marks the 86th Anniversary of the National Apprenticeship Act; and

WHEREAS, National Apprenticeship Week is celebrating its 9th anniversary of raising awareness of the vital role that Registered Apprenticeships play in providing opportunities to the people of Maine by allowing apprentices to earn while they learn and preparing a pathway to well-paying careers and the ability to advance in those careers; and

WHEREAS, the State of Maine recognizes the importance of providing quality care to older adults, terminally ill, postsurgical patients, chronically sick; as well as individuals of all ages with disabilities in a familiar and comfortable setting; and

WHEREAS, home care is the patient-preferred care option and plays a vital role in Maine's health care continuum; and

Hello, this is Governor Janet Mills and thank you for listening.

As you likely know, on Wednesday night, local, county, state, and federal law enforcement officers from across the State of Maine responded to reports of an active shooter at several locations in Lewiston. 

Maine’s law enforcement officers responded swiftly, selflessly, and with great bravery Wednesday night. As of this recording, they are continuing to display that bravery in their tireless search for the suspected gunman, Robert Card of Bowdoin.

On behalf of all Maine people, I want to express my deep gratitude to those law enforcement officers, and to Maine’s emergency medical providers, for their response and for their continued service.

As the manhunt for the suspect continues at this time, Maine State Police have issued a shelter in place order for several communities. Those communities right now are Lewiston, Lisbon, and Bowdoin. Mr. Card is considered armed and dangerous, and police advise that Maine people should not approach him under any circumstances.

I continue to strongly urge Maine people to follow the direction of State and local law enforcement amid this changing situation. Please, if you see anything suspicious, please call 911.

There are still many things that we do not yet know about the attacks on Wednesday night, but I am profoundly saddened to confirm that 18 people were killed and 13 people injured. 

Lewiston is a special place. It is a closeknit community with a long history of hard work, of persistence, of faith, of opening its big heart to people everywhere. Lewiston is where I worked for many years, it’s where I met and married my husband, Stan, and it’s where the girls went to school.

I know that the people of Lewiston are enduring immeasurable pain. I wish I could take that pain from you, but I promise you this, we will all help you carry this grief. 

I ask Maine people to join me in offering our comfort to the families and friends who have lost someone and in offering our prayers for a swift recovery to the people who are healing in Maine hospitals today. 

I know it’s hard for us to think about healing when our hearts are broken, but I want you to know that we will heal together. Going forward, struggling as we may, let’s wrap our arms around one another, and offer comfort and solace and love.  

If you or a person you love needs someone to talk to during this difficult time, please call or text 988 for free and confidential counseling. That’s just 9-8-8.

The full weight of my Administration is behind law enforcement’s efforts to capture the suspect who has been charged with committing these vile acts, and to seek full justice for the victims and their families.  

I will continue to share information with the people of Maine as law enforcement officials confirm it, as well as information about any steps that you can take to support the people of Lewiston in this time. 

May God bless the City of Lewiston and all of its people and bless the memories of those we have lost. 

This is Governor Janet Mills and thank you for listening.