All 18 victims of the Maine mass shooting have been identified – including a pair of beloved grandparents who shared a love of bowling and died protecting children at the Lewiston bowling alley.
Bob, 76, and Lucy Violette were shot at the Just-In-Time Recreation bowling alley, where he taught a youth league and they played in a pairs league every Wednesday night.
The grandfather’s death was one of the first reported on Thursday, and Lucy’s identity was confirmed on Friday. It is unclear whether she was among the victims who were in critical condition or whether she died at the scene.
The couple married almost 50 years ago after meeting at work. During their first date, Lucy made Bob spaghetti, which he later described as the “worst he had ever eaten.”
Nevertheless, Lucy proposed to Bob shortly after their first date and, by all accounts, remained a devoted husband until her final moment.
Bob, 76, and Lucy Violette were shot at the Just-In-Time Recreation bowling alley, where he taught a youth league and they played in a pairs league every Wednesday night
Bob Violette, 76, was shot and killed at the Just-In-Time Recreation bowling alley, where he also taught a youth league
Bob was a retired Sears mechanic who was born and raised in Lewiston and spent his time running a youth bowling league at the venue
Bob and Lucy Violette were shot at the Just-In-Time Recreation bowling alley where they were playing in the couples league
Robert Card, 40, an Army Reserve firearms instructor, was charged with eight counts of murder in the shootings at Sparetime Recreation bowling alley and Schemengees Bar
Bob was a retired Sears mechanic who was born and raised in Lewiston and spent his time running a youth bowling league at the venue. He was recently inducted into the Maine Bowling Hall of Fame.
He and Lucy are survived by their three sons, Andrew, Tom and John, as well as their beloved six grandchildren, who were often pictured on their social media.
“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,” his daughter-in-law Cassandra Violette told the Portland Press Herald.
Cassandra added that Bob was so fond of his wife that he set timers on his phone so she wouldn’t miss her medication.
Bob and Lucy were considered mentors in the community and their loved ones posted their appreciation for them online.
Friend Keisha Pearl wrote: RIP Lucy Violette. That just breaks my heart. The only comfort we can find in this terrible situation is knowing that you and Bob are together again. Lucy always asked how our children were doing and whether we had stayed in touch with the family in Oklahoma. She was a very kind soul and her presence in the lane will be missed forever.”
Bob’s cousin Lou Ann Levesque said, “Bob was known as a mentor to the many children he coached.” He was a beloved husband, father and grandfather. Bob and Lucy leave behind three sons and their families. Bob’s death is also survived by his two brothers, John and Ron. Before Bob’s death a year and a half ago, her sister Jane Violette Minor died. A sad day indeed.’
Auburn City Councilman Leroy Walker told news outlets that his son Joe (pictured), a manager at the bar and grill, died while chasing the gunman with a butcher knife.
Bill Young (pictured left) and his 14-year-old son Aaron (pictured right) were shot at the Just-In-Time Recreation bowling alley, one of 18 victims of the massacre
Tricia Asselin, 53, the second confirmed victim, was a part-time employee at Just-In-Time Recreation in Lewiston. She was playing bowling when the gunman came in and opened fire
40-year-old suspect Robert Card remains on the run more than 24 hours after the rampage on Wednesday.
Hundreds of police officers are searching for Card, a petroleum supply specialist who sought psychiatric treatment this summer after he reported hearing voices and thinking about hurting other soldiers.
Maine Police Col. William G. Ross said seven of the victims were found at the Just In Time bowling alley: a woman and six men, all of whom appeared to have suffered gunshot wounds.
Another eight victims were found at Schemengees Bar and Grille: seven men were discovered inside and one outside, all also with apparent gunshot wounds.
Auburn City Councilman Leroy Walker told news outlets that his son Joe, a manager at the bar and grill, died while chasing the gunman with a butcher knife.
Bill Young and his 14-year-old son Aaron were shot at the Just-In-Time Recreation bowling alley, said Bill’s brother Rob Young. Before learning of her death, Rob had flown from Baltimore to Lewiston on Thursday to help his sister-in-law in her frantic search for information after they had not been heard from since Wednesday, when they went bowling.
Tricia Asselin, 53, who worked at the bowling alley, was also confirmed dead in the harrowing hours after the senseless massacre.
Bryan MacFarlane, 40, who played cornhole with his deaf friends Arthur Strout, 41, and Ron Morin, was 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 bowling alley’s manager, 34-year-old Tom Conrad, was also confirmed dead.
Police urged residents in Lewiston and surrounding communities Friday to continue to stay home. Schools, public buildings and many shops remained closed. Bates College in Lewiston canceled classes Friday and postponed the inauguration of the school’s first Black president.
The attacks stunned a state of just 1.3 million people that has one of the lowest murder rates in the country: 29 murders in all of 2022.
Police have processed at least 530 tips since the shootings. Crime scene technicians were still collecting evidence at the bar and bowling alley. Dozens of officers spent Thursday on the Card family land. After several hours, they set off with state police and said it was unclear whether the suspect was ever at the scene.
The shootings mark the 36th mass killing in the United States this year.
