All 18 victims of Maine mass shooting identified, including bowling-obsessed grandparents who died protecting children from gunmen

All 18 victims of the Maine mass shooting have been identified — including a pair of beloved grandparents who shared their love of bowling and died protecting children at Lewiston’s 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 reports on Thursday, and Lucy’s identity was confirmed on Friday. It is unclear whether she was one of the victims who was in critical condition or died at the scene.

The couple married almost 50 years ago after meeting at work; on their first date, Lucy made Bob spaghetti, which he would later describe as the “worst he’d ever had.”

Still, Lucy proposed to Bob shortly after their first date, and she remained a devoted husband until their final moments.

Bob was a retired Sears mechanic, born and raised in Lewiston and spent his time running a youth bowling league at the location

Bob and Lucy Violette were shot at the Just-In-Time Recreation bowling alley, where they were playing in a pairs competition

Army Reserve firearms instructor Robert Card, 40, was charged with eight counts of murder over the shootings at the Sparetime Recreation bowling alley and Schemengees Bar

Bob was a retired Sears mechanic, born and raised in Lewiston, and spent his time running a youth bowling league at the location. 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 in love with his wife that he set timers on his phone so she wouldn’t miss her medication.

Bob and Lucy were seen as mentors in the community, and their loved ones posted tributes to them online.

Friend Keisha Pearl wrote: RIP Lucy Violette. This 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 kept in touch with family in Oklahoma. She was a very kind soul and their presence in the alley will be forever missed.”

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 are survived by three sons and their families. Also surviving Bob’s death are his two brothers, John and Ron. Preceding Bob’s death a year and a half ago was their sister, Jane Violette Minor. A really sad day.’

Auburn City Councilman Leroy Walker told the press 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 dead at the Just-In-Time Recreation bowling alley, one of 18 victims of the massacre

Tricia Asselin, 53, the second confirmed victim, worked part-time at Just-In-Time Recreation in Lewiston. She was bowling when the gunman entered and opened fire

The 40-year-old shooting suspect, Robert Card, is still on the run more than 24 hours after Wednesday’s rampage.

Hundreds of law enforcement officers are searching for Card, an oil supply specialist who received psychiatric treatment this summer after reporting hearing voices and having thoughts about hurting other soldiers.

Colonel William G. Ross of the Maine State Police said seven of the victims were found at the Just-In-Time bowling alley: one woman and six men, all of whom had apparent gunshot wounds.

A further 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 the press 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 to death 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 assist his sister-in-law in her frantic search for information after the couple 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 were also pronounced dead by family and friends.

Peyton Brewer-Ross, 40, and Steve Vozzella, 45, were also identified as victims by their family, friends and co-workers.

The bowling alley’s manager, 34-year-old Tom Conrad, was also pronounced dead.

Police asked residents Friday to stay home in Lewiston and surrounding communities. Schools, public buildings and many businesses remained closed. Bates College in Lewiston canceled classes on Friday and postponed the inauguration of the school’s first Black president.

The attacks stunned a state of just 1.3 million people, which has one of the lowest murder rates in the country: 29 killings in all of 2022.

Police have collected at least 530 tips since the shooting. Crime scene technicians were still collecting evidence at the bar and bowling alley. Dozens of officers spent Thursday on the Card family’s land. After several hours, they left with state police, saying it was unclear if the suspect had ever been at the location.

The shootings mark the 36th mass killing in the United States this year.