Several victims killed this week in a series of mass shootings in Lewiston, Maine, had charged at suspected gunman Robert Card in the moments before their deaths, their family members have revealed. 

Michael Deslauriers Sr., who is chair of the Sabattus Historical Society, wrote on Facebook that his son Michael Deslauriers II and “dearest friend” Jason Walker were among the seven people who Maine State Police say were killed at the Just-In-Time Recreation bowling alley Wednesday night. 

“They made sure their wives and several young children were under cover then they charged the shooter,” he wrote, describing the announcement of the deaths as “the hardest news for a father to ever have to share.” 

Leroy Walker, the father of Schemengee’s Bar and Grille manager Joseph Walker, told NBC News that his son also was killed in the violence, and state police had spoken to his daughter-in-law about Joseph’s actions afterward. 

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An undated file photo shows Joseph Walker, the manager of Schemengees Bar & Grill, who was killed in the mass shooting which occurred in the bar on Wednesday, October 25, 2023. (Courtesy Joseph Walker/ Facebook)

“Joey Walker was shot to death at Schemengee’s — shot to death,” Leroy Walker told NBC News. “Then [police] went into telling her that he died as a hero because he picked up a butcher knife from somewhere — he has all that stuff near the bar anyways. And he tried to go at the gunman to stop him from shooting anybody else. The gunman shot him twice through the stomach.” 

Eighteen people were killed in the mass shootings. Card’s whereabouts, as of Friday morning, remain unknown as a massive law enforcement presence has descended into Maine to assist in the manhunt. 

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Maine State Police say in addition to the seven killed at the bowling alley, eight died after being targeted at Schemengee’s Bar & Grille, and another three passed away after being taken to local hospitals. 

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Law enforcement officers gather outside Schemengees Bar & Grille in the aftermath of a mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, on Friday. (AP/Matt Rourke)

Tricia Asselin, 53, was killed at the bowling alley as she pulled out her phone to dial 911, her sister Bobbi-Lynn Nichols told People. 

Asselin worked part-time at the bowling alley, and Nichols said she had asked her to come bowl on her day off, the website added. 

Nichols told People that they heard a “loud pop” before a “stampede” of people started running out of the facility. 

Robert Card, the suspect in the Lewiston, Maine, mass shootings. (Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office)

“We were just running, and I kept saying: ‘I want my sister out of there,'” Nichols was quoted as saying. “And she called 911 and put herself in his way by trying to get help. She’s a hero. My sister is a hero.”