In the wake of Maine's deadliest mass shooting, the 911 call transcripts have been released, offering a harrowing glimpse into the chaotic aftermath and overwhelming fear experienced by the survivors. On October 25, shots rang out first at a bowling alley and minutes later at a bar, leaving 18 people dead and 13 wounded.

The transcripts reveal the desperate pleas for help, as callers described hiding behind trees, searching for loved ones, and fearing for their lives. Dispatchers provided encouragement to callers, reassuring them and advising them to stay quiet and seek safety until the authorities arrived.

One caller, whose child was injured, urgently reported, "Shooter. There's a shooter. I have a kid. He's bleeding." Another caller, gripping a 4-year-old, recounted their frantic escape. The urgency in the callers' voices is palpable, as they implored emergency services to hurry.

The transcripts also shed light on the confusion and uncertainty during the immediate aftermath. Some callers were unsure if those trying to gain entry to the building were the shooter or the police. Terrified survivors inside pleaded for help, urging dispatchers to find out for their safety.

In the midst of the turmoil, one caller, who had made it to the river behind the bar, disclosed their visual impairment, stating, "I'm blind. I lost my glasses. There's some other people here. I don't know if they're bystanders or the shooter." The operator urged them to leave the area immediately, but the individual struggled due to their limited vision.

Two hours after the initial shooting at the bowling alley, a caller correctly identified the shooter as Robert Card of Bowdoin after seeing his photo online. This caller also highlighted Card's deteriorating mental health and previous concerning behavior, emphasizing that law enforcement had been contacted in the past about his mental state.

Despite the tragedy, there were calls of resilience and attempts to guide those in distress. Dispatchers advised callers to remain still and wait for the police to arrive, providing instructions on how to make their presence known to the authorities without causing panic.

The shooting spree initiated a lockdown and triggered the largest manhunt in Maine's history, ultimately ending with the discovery of the gunman's body in a neighboring town. The autopsy later confirmed that Robert Card died by suicide.

Governor Janet Mills appointed an independent commission to investigate all aspects of the shooting, questioning why warning signs regarding Card's mental health were overlooked. Concerns about his behavior had been raised by his fellow Army reservists, including a warning that he might "snap and do a mass shooting."

The release of the 911 call transcripts highlights the sheer terror experienced by those caught in the crossfire, amplifying the urgency to address mental health issues and strengthen gun safety measures. It serves as a reminder that swift action is essential to prevent such devastating events in the future.