Children return to school, Halloween after Maine mass shooting

Therapy dogs and banners saying “Lewiston strong” greeted children who returned to school days after the state’s deadliest mass shooting. The children—who had been at home since Thursday—also went trick-or-treating later on Tuesday. Lewiston High School had served as a command center while law enforcement searched for the shooting suspect. U.S. Army Reservist Robert Card was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound on Friday. Card killed 18 people and injured 13 others at a bowling alley and bar in Lewiston last Wednesday, police said.

What are authorities doing to bring closure to the case? Maine State Police are continuing their investigation to determine the facts and circumstances of the attacks, Governor Janet Mills said Monday. People gathered for a vigil Sunday night at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul. Looking ahead, Mills said federal agencies would be in town to help victims—for instance, the Justice Department will be in Maine on Wednesday to help victims file for federal compensation.

Dig deeper: Read Addie Offereins and Kim Henderson’s report in Compassion about families of a mass shooting in Nashville who are fighting the release of the shooter’s writings.