A father and son, 14, are the latest to be identified as part of an 18 person slaughter at the hands of a deadly gunman, who remains at large, in Lewiston, Maine.
Bill Young and his 14-year-old son Aaron were shot and killed at the Just-In-Time Recreation bowling alley, Bill’s brother Rob Young said.
Before learning of their deaths, Rob had flown from Baltimore to Lewiston on Thursday to help his sister-in-law in her frantic search for information after the pair had not been heard from since Wednesday when they went bowling.
Young joined Bob Violette, 76, who was also killed in the massacre that erupted inside Just In Time Recreation bowling alley, formally known as Sparetime, and Schemengee’s Bar and Grille, according to his daughter-in-law Cassandra.
Tricia Asselin, 53, who worked at the bowling alley, was also confirmed in the harrowing hours after the senseless massacre.
Meanwhile, relatives confirmed Joseph Walker, 57, who was a bar manager at Schemengee’s and Joshua Seal, 36, a father of four, was also confirmed dead by his wife.
Bryan MacFarlane, 40, who was playing cornhole with his deaf friends, Arthur Strout, 41, and Ron Morin were also confirmed dead by family and friends.
Peyton Brewer-Ross, 40, and Steve Vozzella, 45, were also identified as victims by their family, friends, and colleagues.
The manager of the bowling alley, 34-year-old Tom Conrad, was also confirmed dead.
A total of 18 people were killed. Seven died in the bowling alley, six in the bar and the remaining three in hospital.
A multi-agency manhunt for the suspected gunman, Robert Card, 40, is underway. He used an AR-15-style rifle to unleash a barrage of bullets around 7pm Wednesday at two different sites in the small Maine city.
Bill Young (pictured left) and his 14-year-old son Aaron (pictured right) were shot and killed at the Just-In-Time Recreation bowling alley, one of 18 victims of the massacre
Retired mechanic Bob Violette, 76, was one of the victims in the massacre, according to his daughter-in-law Cassandra. He was a keen bowler, and played in a couple’s bowling league with his wife when they retired
Tricia Asselin, 53, the second confirmed victim, was a part-time worker at Just-In-Time Recreation in Lewiston. She was bowling when the gunman came in and opened fire
Relatives confirmed that the third victim was Joseph Walker, 57, who was a bar manager at Schemengee’s
Bill and Aaron Young
Bill Young and his 14-year-old son Aaron were both confirmed dead Thursday by Bill’s cousin Kim McConville, who lives in Pennsylvania.
She described her cousin and teenage son as ‘innocent people’ to NBC Boston.
‘Just innocent people out for a night of bowling,’ she said. ‘This was a children’s event. You know, who expects a shooter to go into a children’s event? But you know, this is a crazy world that we live in today.’
Winthrop High School, where Aaron attended, also confirmed his death in a statement Thursday, adding that another student had lost their uncle in the shooting.
‘We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Aaron Young, a Freshman at WHS, and his father, Bill, during the shooting last night,’ the statement read.
The school will remain closed Friday due to the continued manhunt and will re-open Monday on a two-hour delay.
Bill Young and his 14-year-old son Aaron were both confirmed dead Thursday by Bill’s cousin Kim McConville, who lives in Pennsylvania
Bob Violette
Violette was born and raised in Lewiston and married his wife Lucy almost 50 years ago. They shared three sons, Andrew, Tom and John, along with six grandchildren.
Police have named previously sectioned Army reserve firearms instructor Robert Card, 40, as a person of interest. Card is from Bowdoin, and his car was found abandoned in Lisbon shortly after the shooting
He was a keen bowler, and played in a couple’s bowling league with his wife when they retired.
Bob also set up a youth bowling league at Sparetime Recreation, now known as Just In Time – which was one of the locations targeted in the mass shooting last night.
Violette spent his time coaching kids at bowling, and he was remembered as someone who ‘passed away doing what he loved.’
Speaking about her father-in-law, Cassandra told the Portland Press Herald: ‘He wouldn’t let you walk out the door without giving him a hug, and a kiss on the cheek.
‘He was just there for everything.’
Bob loved his wife, and his ‘first thought every day was her.’ He also loved his grandchildren dearly, Cassandra said.
According to the outlet, Bob was trying to protect kids at the alley, and his wife Lucy was injured on Wednesday night.
Bob set up a youth bowling league at Sparetime Recreation – which was one of the places targeted in the mass shooting last night
Violette spent his time coaching kids at bowling, and he was remembered as someone who ‘passed away doing what he loved’
Tributes poured in for the beloved bowler. Brandon Dubuc wrote: ‘Bob Violette was one of the kindest souls in the bowling community in Lewiston. He would have done anything for the kids in the community and he genuinely loved coaching them.
‘Bob passed away doing what he loved. He is a hero in my book. Much love to all of Bob’s family, friends, and those that were touched by him throughout the community. Rest in peace Bob. I am so very sorry.’
Sarah Vincent also wrote in tribute: ‘Bob Violette you will be truly missed. Not only were a customer of mine from the alley for many years you were also a friend. I cant wrap my head around this. May you rest in peace my friend.’
Tricia Asselin
Tricia Asselin, 53, the second confirmed victim, was a part-time worker at Just-In-Time Recreation in Lewiston. She was bowling when the gunman came in and opened fire.
Asselin’s brother DJ Johnson confirmed her death to CNN, and said that his other sister was also at the bowling alley but she was able to escape.
Johnson said his sister Tricia ‘was the rock of the family’ and ‘kept everyone on an even keel.
He added: ‘If there was an argument going on, she would be the one to calm everyone down.
‘If somebody was having a bad day, she would be right on the phone to talk to you about it.’
Tricia was shot while calling 911 to alert emergency services to the mass shooting, her brother said
DJ Johnson, the victim’s brother, said his sister Tricia ‘was the rock of the family’ and ‘kept everyone on an even keel
Her brother said: ‘What I’m told is that when it all started happening, she ran up to the counter and started to call 911, and that’s when she was shot.
‘That was just her. She wasn’t going to run. She was going to try and help.’
Tricia was also remembered as a devoted mother-of-one.
DJ Johnson said: ‘She and I talked probably three or four times a week and we texted every day. Her son was her entire life. From the day he was born to yesterday. She did everything for him … he was her world.’
Tricia’s mother, Alicia Lachance, told Rolling Stone: ‘She ran to get her phone to call 911 to save the kids, and she was shot.
‘It’s very emotional, but Tricia is the type of person who would have done anything for children and anybody. At her work at Walmart years ago, she gave mouth-to-mouth to a guy who was dead for 20 minutes because she was trying to revive him.’
Joseph Walker
The third victim to be identified was Joseph Walker, 57, who was the son of Auburn City Councilor Leroy Walker.
He was a bar manager at Schemengee’s and was working when gunfire broke out, reports CBS News.
Brenda Lee Henry, his sister, wrote in tribute: ‘I love you brother oh why we had a 5 year plan we were going to do big plans.
‘My big brother I love you, You always had my back and Zi had yours. I’m so lost right now. I will take care of Tracey Walker I promise.
‘I know you’re telling me to stop crying and calling me names. My heart is broken.’
Leroy, his father, told NBC Boston that he was informed his son had died.
One of his employees Olivia Guadagno, paid tribute to Joseph, who she said was a ‘great boss’ who was ‘generous and fatherly.’
The third victim to be identified was Joseph Walker, 57, who was the son of Auburn City Councilor Leroy Walker
She said: ‘Just got the most devastating news, that I was hoping and praying was inaccurate. My boss at Schemengees and the station grill, Joseph Walker passed away.
‘He was a great boss, the generous and fatherly type. He was a great time, always joking and poking fun.
‘Joey impacted every single one of us. A hard a** on the outside but a teddy bear on the inside. I appreciate all of the support Joe has given me, I appreciate the second chance he gave me, and all of the memories that came with it.
‘I am so sorry Joe. I am so heartbroken over this. You didn’t deserve this, none of us did.’
Joshua Seal
Joshua Seal, 36, a father-of-four, was also confirmed dead by his wife.
Elizabeth Seal, his wife, wrote on social media: ‘It is with a heavy heart that I share with you all that Joshua Seal has passed away… no, he was murdered, in the 10/25 shooting in Lewiston. It still feels surreal…
‘For those of you who knew him, first and foremost, he was the world’s BEST father to our four pups.
‘He was always there for them, lending an eye or a hand and going to their sporting/extracurricular activities. He always loved spending time with them, traveling, going for a day trip to the beach, or going camping for the weekend.
Joshua Seal, 36, (right) with his wife Elizabeth Seal
‘Not only was he an amazing father, he was a wonderful husband, my best friend, and my soulmate.
‘He was also a wonderful boss, an incredible interpreter, a great friend, a loving son, brother, uncle, and grandson. He loved his family and always put them first.
‘That is what he will always be remembered for. We love and miss you so so much already, Joshua Alfred Seal. Forever & Always, No Matter What…’
A friend of Joshua, Joseph Robinson, wrote online: ‘My heart aches to find out that my good disc golf buddy Joshua Seal have gone too early.
‘I’m so sorry for him and his beautiful family. I met him through disc golf and loved playing against each other.
‘What a great friend of mine and will be missed. RIP will never forget you.’
The fifth named victim of the massacre was Bryan MacFarlane, 40
Bryan MacFarlane
The fifth named victim of the massacre was Bryan MacFarlane, 40.
He was participating in a cornhole tournament at Schemengees Bar and Grille Restaurant at the time, his sister Keri Brooks told CNN.
MacFarlane, who is deaf, loved to play cornhole with his community. He was also a keen motorcycle rider, and often was with his dog named M&M.
Brooks said: ‘I grew up in Maine and the deaf community is a tight-knit community. Not only was my brother slain but my friends were too.’
According to Brooks, her brother was one of the first deaf people in the state of Vermont to get his commercial trucking driver’s license.
‘Many states don’t let deaf drive trucks so I’m very proud of him for achieving that. He worked as a truck driver for several years,’ Brook said.
One of his friends, Elijah Williams, wrote: ‘Fly high my friend Bryan MacFarlane! RIP. He is one of many victims at Lewiston, Maine mass shooting. I hope the shooter will be caught asap. Praying for his family.’
Arthur Strout
Arthur Strout, 41, also died in the mass shooting. He ‘left this earth doing something he loved and enjoyed,’ which was playing pool, his former partner Bonnie said.
Bonnie Ann, who is the mother to Arthur’s child, wrote on social media: ‘Yes it’s true and I have no words.
‘I can’t begin to imagine him gone my son Marcus Strout Caron lost his father Arthur Strout in the mass shooting that took place at the pool hall he left this earth doing something he loved and enjoyed.
‘Artie as I called him had our son at a young age of 18 we had gone and lived our lives after we spent when Marcus was 3 he’s now 23 and we made a means to our past together and he was building a relationship with his son.
Arthur Strout, 41, also died in the mass shooting. He ‘left this earth doing something he loved and enjoyed,’ which was playing pool, his former partner Bonnie said
‘Artie was a good man he was very well known and loved by all he will be missed more then he would have every thought.
‘I love you always Artie I’ll never forget the dumb little faces you use to draw!
‘Our son shouldn’t have lost his father it’s not fair .. I hope this guy gets what he has coming to him .
‘All my love and support goes out to his family/my family in this time.
‘As I’m lost I’ll be there for anyone that I can be . . He looks just like him.’
A friend, Eric Edwards, said in tribute: ‘You was always there for me whenever I needed you even at my worst,you always believed in me no matter what.
‘It’s hard to believe your really gone ill miss you every day and you will always be in my heart just sitting here thinking of all the times we talked and how you always pushed me to be a better person to be strong and confident in life.
‘You was always an inspiration to me and I always wished I was more like you i always looked up to you big brother and anyone was lucky to have you in there life you was an amazing father / husband and so much more miss you Arthur Strout
‘You’ll be missed by many forever loved by all.’
The body of a victim in the Maine massacre shooting which killed at least 18 people has been wheeled out of the bar targeted by the gunman – as cops fear he may have crossed into Massachusetts with a ‘nightscope’
Ron Morin
Ron Morin, who lived in Lewiston, was spoken about as ‘an upstanding man with a lot of joy in his heart,’ according to Rosa Storer, who cut Morin and his wife’s hair for over 25 years, according to the Bangor Daily News.
Amanda Morin, his niece, posted to Facebook Thursday: ‘I’m lost for words, life is so unfair sometimes. You will be so missed Uncle Ron.’
‘He was just always smiling, happy,’ added Cecile Francoeur Martin, a family member.
‘Just one of those people that if you are having a bad day, he was going to make your day better just by his presence.’
Ron Morin (pictured left), who lived in Lewiston, was spoken about as ‘an upstanding man with a lot of joy in his heart,’ according to Rosa Storer, who cut Morin and his wife’s hair for over 25 years
Peyton Brewer-Ross
Peyton Brewer-Ross, 40, and Steve Vozzella, 45, were also identified as victims by their family, friends, and colleagues.
Brewer-Ross was pipefitter and a new father to his young daughter, Elle – and it’s understood he was playing cornhole at the bar when the massacre erupted.
Union Pipefitters, who Brewer-Ross worked for, announced his tragic death.
The company wrote online: ‘Peyton Brewer-Ross new father and good guy. Pipefitter on my crew and the nicest guy.
‘Murdered by a deranged gunman in Maine last night while playing corn hole.
Peyton Brewer-Ross, 40, was confirmed as one of the victims by multiple friends. He was pipefitter and a new father to his young daughter, Elle (pictured)
Peyton Brewer-Ross died on Wednesday in the mass shooting
‘Unreal. So sad and senseless. I am waiting for the rest of the names. Hoping I don’t know any more.’
Brandon Bushaw, who attended high school with Brewer-Ross and used to wrestle with him, wrote: ‘So sad to hear about the passing of my high school wrestling teammate Peyton Brewer-Ross in the shootings in Lewiston, Maine last night.
‘RIP Peyton and best wishes to his young daughter and family.’
Joshua G Blakely, another friend who wrestled with the new father, said in tribute: ‘Last night during the shooting The world lost the funniest training partner anyone could have.
‘I was looking forward to him coming back for more mat rolling. Guess we will have to do that somewhere else now buddy. The original Superman. Peyton Brewer-Ross thanks for being awesome to the world.’
Brewer-Ross would often post in his local cornhole Facebook group to ask for partners to play with when he took to the bar for the game.
His social media was also filled with smiling photos of him posing with his toddler.
Steve Vozzella
Steve Vozzella, 45, the second victim of the mass shooting, only tied the knot with his heartbroken wife Megan last November, in a ceremony attended by their loving family and friends.
He was playing cornhole at the bar in Lewiston, Maine, when gunfire rung out.
Vozzella was deaf – and often played the game with fellow people within the deaf community at Schemengees Bar and Grille.
His devastated wife Megan told AlertContent.com she was ‘overwhelmed’ by the ordeal.
Jay Ireland, a friend of Vozzella, wrote online: ‘So sad about Steve’s death from Maine shooting. Prayers for Megan Vozzella and other two deaf man was killed and praying for Kyle Curtis who is injured and possible deaf people who was there.’
Steve Vozzella, who was killed in the massacre, is pictured last June playing in cornhole tournament in Maine
Steve Vozzella, 45, (right) the second named victim of the mass shooting, only tied the knot with his heartbroken wife Megan (left) last November. Megan told AlertContent.com she was ‘overwhelmed’ by the news
Tributes poured in for Steve Vozzella, 45, who was killed in the gunfire
The friend shared an image of keen bar sport player Steve from last June, playing in cornhole tournament in Maine.
Karen Turcotte, whose deaf husband also played cornhole with Steve, wrote: ‘This hits all the Deaf People in Maine!!! Prayers go to Megan Vozzella, family and friends.
‘We are all here for you!!! RIP Steve!!!!!’
There is still a heavy police presence outside the Central Maine Medical Center, with cops standing at every entrance with high powered rifles.
The hospital is under lock down and no visitors are allowed.
The FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and other federal agents have joined the search for the shooter.
Tom Conrad
Tommy Conrad, 34, was the manager at the Just-in-Time Recreation center, the bowling alley where one of the two shootings occurred.
Conrad is survived by a 9-year-old daughter, according to CNN.
Tommy Conrad, 34, was the manager at the Just-in-Time Recreation center, the bowling alley where one of the two shootings occurred
Michael Deslauriers II
Michael Deslauriers II was one of several who was killed by gunfire at the bowling alley, according to his father.
He has three children and a girlfriend he leaves behind, according to ABC Nes. All were bowling at Just-In-Time Recreation.’
His father wrote in a Facebook post: ‘My son Michael Deslauriers II and his dearest friend were murdered last night at the bowling alley.’
‘They made sure their wives and several young children were under cover then they charged the shooter.’
‘He had a knack for making people laugh. A lot of times my brother was quick to crack a joke when he really shouldn’t,’ Vicky Roy, Deslauriers’ sister said.
‘My brother was also very selfless. He would do anything for anybody.’
Michael Deslauriers II was one of several who was killed by gunfire at the bowling alley, according to his father
Bill Bracket
Bill Bracket was confirmed dead by his father, William, according to ABC News.
Bracket’s father said his son was at the gathering of deaf people who were participating in a game of cornhole at Schemengees Bar & Grill.
“I’ll never forget the laughs I had you in when I was trying to learn some sign language at cornhole,” Nick Perry, Bracket’s friend, said in a Facebook post.
Bill Bracket was confirmed dead by his father, William, who said he was at a cornhole game
Latest updates
There is still a heavy police presence outside the Central Maine Medical Center, with cops standing at every entrance with high powered rifles following the shooting.
The hospital is under lock down and no visitors are allowed.
The FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Department of Homeland Security and other federal agents have joined the search for the shooter.
Lewiston, a small city of about 38,000, is also on lockdown as police hunt for Card, who was sectioned this summer with mental health issues.
He previously reported hearing voices and threatened to shoot up his National Guard base in Saco, Maine.
Police fear that the suspect Card may have crossed into Massachusetts with a ‘nightscope’. He is from Bowdoin, and his car was found abandoned in Lisbon shortly after the shooting.
They said a blue Chevy Suburban with a Maine registration plate 6625ZD believed to be carrying Card crossed into Massachusetts on the I-93 at 8:01 Thursday morning.
They described him as ‘believed to be armed and dangerous’.
A shelter in place advisory has been expanded from Lewiston to Lisbon and Bowdoin, with residents urged to remain inside as the gunman remains at large.
Officers were seen outside his home in nearby Bowdoin on Thursday morning, with swathes of roads across the state being shut down in a bid to apprehend the ‘highly skilled’ firearms specialist.
Officials were seen wheeling a body bag out of Schemengees on Thursday morning.
A distraught Maine councilor has said he knows his son was killed in the shooting – though authorities are yet to confirm – while a 10-year-old girl has spoken about being grazed by a stray bullet.
Leroy Walker, whose son managed Schemengees, said he is convinced his son is dead.
The rampage has left at least 18 people dead and 13 more injured. Officials were seen wheeling a body bag out of Schemengees on Thursday morning
Robert Card, a 40-year-old Army reservist and firearms instructor, has been named as the suspect in the murder of 18 people in Lewiston, Maine on Wednesday
CCTV images show how the shooter was armed with a rifle when he carried out the mass shooting
The gunman, wearing a brown hoodie, is seen in Lewiston on Wednesday night. Police believe it is Robert Card
‘If you had my gut right now, I feel like I’m squashed with a vice,’ Walker told NBC. ‘My neck in the back of my head feels like there’s a vice squashing it the other way.’
‘And I don’t know, telling you the truth, what kind of night this is going to be from now until tomorrow when I wake up to the true facts that my son is dead – and I know he’s dead.
‘I know it as well as I know I’m standing here telling you because he’s not here and he’s not at any other hospital and he’s not running the streets or he would have called us, because he manages Schemengees, so I know he was there.’
Meanwhile, 10-year-old Zoey questioned ‘why do people do this’ as she sat beside her mother the morning after they survived the shocking attack at the bowling alley as their city remains on lockdown.
‘I never thought I’d grow up and get a bullet in my leg,’ Zoey told CNN. ‘Like, why do people do this?
Residents of both Lewiston and nearby Lisbon and Bowdoin have been advised to not go outside on Thursday morning as the the gunman remains at large
A woman is hugged by a man at a reunification center at Auburn Middle School after shootings in Lewiston
Survivors and bereaved family members have begun speaking out following the bloody massacre at Schemengees Bar and Grille and Just-In-Time Recreation bowling alley in Lewiston, the state’s second city
‘I was more worried about, like, am I going to live and I going to make it out of here. Like, what’s going to happen? Are the cops going to come?’
Survivor Riley Dumont said her 11-year-old daughter was playing in the children’s bowling league when she heard several gunshots. She told ABC News her father, a retired police officer, rushed the family into a corner.
‘I kind of laid on top of (my daughter), and my mom was kind of on top of me. We had two other kids with us and two other mothers as well,’ Dumont said. At least seven people were killed in the first shooting.
Detectives said they are looking into cellphone signals, social media and electronic records to build a timeline of his movements before the shooting.
The mayor of Auburn, a town next to Lewistown, said on TODAY that some of the witnesses thought the rampage was a Halloween prank.
Jason Levesque said: ‘They thought it was some sort of Halloween joke or something, the initial pops if you would, until everything started escalating quite rapidly.’