Who is Don Dostie? Furious Maine resident says he is 'locked and loaded’ after deadly mass shooting left 22 dead
BOWDOIN CENTER, MAINE: Don Dostie, a vengeful Maine resident, reportedly said that he was "locked and loaded" after taking shelter in his house when a mass shooter opened fire barely a block away.
The 61-year-old shared a furious post to Facebook after he heard shots in the distance and saw police cars flying past Main Street where suspected shooter Robert Card opened fire on Wednesday, October 25.
At least 22 people have been shot dead in the mass shooting and 50-60 people injured at numerous locations.
“We are safe in our home, locked and loaded. Any of these shooters come near my house, I'm not going to ask how they are doing...” Dostie said in his post.
The Maine resident, who owns Four Points Associates, later told Daily Mail that he's sheltering with his wife Dinny, 54, and said they're 'safe' for the time being.
“I heard sirens about a half hour ago and I thought I heard a few shots in the distance. We're staying inside our house,” he said.
He continued by stating that he and Dinny often take their dog for walks close to the bowling alley and that they have heard that the incident has affected multiple other businesses.
When asked what he would do if he faced the gunman head-on, Dostie replied, "Most of us in Maine, we hunt, I'm a pretty good shot."
Police identify suspected shooter
Police sources have identified the possible suspect as the 40-year-old Robert Card who is believed to be an Army reservist and firearms instructor from Bowdoin.
Card was armed with an AR 15-style rifle with laser optics when he burst into the bowling alley at 7:15 pm to begin his rampage.
He was driving a 2013 white Subaru, which was later found in Lisbon, about seven miles southeast of Lewiston, Eric Samson, Sheriff of Androscoggin County, announced at 11:20 pm.
Card, who recently reported “hearing voices”, was reportedly committed to a mental health facility over the summer and was released after a two-week stay, the police sources told the New York Post.
Maine State Police said the armed suspect is believed to be in Lewiston, and advised local residents and businesses to lock their doors and shelter in place.
“Please stay off the streets and allow law enforcement to diffuse the situation. If you see any suspicious activity or individuals please call 911,” the state police warned.
Devastated business owners share their agony
According to reports, emergency personnel were called to separate shootings at Sparetime Recreation bowling alley, Schemengees Bar and Grille Restaurant, and a Walmart distribution center.
Kathy Lebel, the co-owner of Schemengees, revealed that customers were playing cornhole in the bar when Card opened fire.
"It was just a fun night playing cornhole … it’s the last thing you’re expecting, right? I still feel like this whole thing is a nightmare,” she told the Sun Journal.
Justin Juray, an owner of the bowling alley where the authorities said a shooting took place, described the scene as "total chaos" and said he could not speak further following the incident.
“Just an update for everyone. Samantha [his wife] and I were able to get out unharmed. Please pray for everyone else that was less fortunate,” he said in a Facebook post.
Anne Kinney, an Auburn resident, told the Sun Journal that she learned about the active shooter when she was in Lewiston picking up a prescription.
“A loudspeaker in the store came on telling us that there was an active shooter situation and that all entrance [and] exit doors were being locked,” she said.
“An employee brought some of us chairs to sit on. A local policeman eventually arrived and advised store folks to let us out one by one, if we wished, and then to dim store lights and completely close,” she added.