LEWISTON, Maine – A Maine gunman, Robert Card, made unsettling remarks to police during a welfare check three months before he committed a mass shooting that left 18 people dead inside a bar and bowling alley, marking the deadliest mass shooting in the state’s history.
The bizarre comments were captured on body cam footage as New York state troopers escorted Card to counseling services at a West Point Army facility in July. This directive came after concerns were raised by members of his Army Reserve unit about his mental state, prompting the troopers to intervene.
During the interaction, Card expressed his capability of doing “something,” causing alarm to the troopers. They were prompted to question Card about his ominous statement, to which he responded, “Nothing,” leaving the officers troubled by the encounter.
Three months after this encounter, Card went on to carry out the mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, leading to a widespread manhunt and eventually ending his own life.
Before the tragic incident, concerns were raised about Card’s mental health by his reservist colleagues, and his deteriorating mental state was evident to those who were close to him. He had also reportedly been spending large sums of money on firearms and, during the encounter with police, Card revealed his paranoia about people spreading rumors about him being gay and a pedophile.
His best friend even alerted their boss about the risk of Card snapping and carrying out a mass shooting, indicating that those around Card were deeply concerned about his potential for violence. Moreover, his motive for the gruesome massacre remains a mystery, with investigators focusing on his extensive history of mental health struggles.
Ultimately, Card’s story serves as a grim reminder of the importance of addressing mental health challenges and providing appropriate support and intervention for those who may pose a risk to others, highlighting the significant impact of mental health on public safety.