Truckers on high alert after spree shootings in Maine

Welcome to the WHAT THE TRUCK?!? Newsletter presented by AIT. In this issue, shooting spree in Maine has drivers on edge.

Shooting spree in Lewiston

Tragedy — Wednesday evening all hell broke loose in Lewiston, Maine, when a gunman went on a rampage at multiple locations. NBC News reports, “At least 18 people are dead and 13 others are injured after shootings at a bar and a bowling alley.”

Although initial reports said that a Walmart distribution center was a shooting location, that has proved to be inaccurate. We now know the gunman staged his attacks at Just-In-Time Recreation bowling alley and Schemengees Bar and Grille.

Last night area residents were ordered to shelter in place while truckers in the area were put on high alert via messages over their Qualcomms.

“I delivered drop and hook to that Walmart 48 hours ago. F**king hell.” — Trucker Eric The Redbeard on X

On the loose — Police are conducting a manhunt for 40-year-old Robert Card, who they say is on the run. CNN reports, “[Card] previously reported mental health issues and hearing voices and threatened to shoot up a National Guard base in the state, Maine law enforcement officials said.”

BOLO — With the whereabouts of the shooter unknown, keep your drivers and employees in the area on high alert.

“What Lewiston Maine says to us drivers is there is NOWHERE that is ‘safe’ from this kind of shit. You can’t be sitting at a truck stop in the middle of nowhere thinking you’re away from the flack any more.” — Trucker Eric The Redbeard on X

As for where Card could be, that’s as of yet unknown. CNN spoke to Clifford Steeves, who knows the shooter. He told them, “He would be very comfortable in the woods.”

“I know that the people of Lewiston are enduring immeasurable pain. I wish I could take that pain from you, but I promise you this, we will all help you carry this grief. I ask Maine people to join me in offering our comfort to the families and friends who have lost someone and in offering our prayers for a swift recovery to the people who are healing in Maine hospitals today.” — Maine Gov. Janet Mills

Our thoughts are with the victims and anyone who may be in harm’s way while a spree killer is on the loose. Be vigilant and be safe out there.

WTT Friday

The logistics launching NASA’s next Commercial Crew mission — On Friday’s episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Brian Berry talks about the logistics launching NASA’s next Commercial Crew mission. In this role, he ensures mission readiness and certification prior to launch, and coordinates real-time operations for the CCP Mission Support Team throughout the mission. This includes dry dress rehearsal, launch, docking, docked period at the International Space Station, undocking and return.

Diablo Freight Ventures’ Tyson Lawrence talks about overcoming failure in freight. Lawrence went from a failed brokerage to building one that he sold to GlobalTranz. He’ll share how to pivot and when to pivot when faced with big challenges, the best environment to build and create a freight brokerage, and how to stay financially solvent in this operating environment.

F3 descends upon Chattanooga in just 12 short days. FreightWaves’ Haley Fazio is here with a preview of what’s going down at the Future of Freight Festival in the Scenic City this November. Need tickets? Use code F3WTT right here.

Plus, latest news and trends.

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