LEWISTON, Maine — An Army reservist responsible for Maine’s deadliest mass shooting revealed troubling signs of deteriorating mental health before the tragic incident last October. Robert Card, the 40-year-old shooter, disclosed concerns from fellow soldiers regarding his behavior to New York State Police officers before his hospitalization last summer. The release of police body cam video in July depicted a visibly distressed Card, who admitted to being capable of committing harm due to the concern expressed by his peers.
The 40-year-old gunman killed 18 people and injured 13 others at a bowling alley and a bar, triggering the largest manhunt in Maine’s history. His body was discovered two days later, a result of suicide. Subsequent investigations uncovered a handwritten note on his cellphone three days before the shooting, in which he expressed having had enough and indicated being trained to inflict harm on others.
The troubling signs of Card’s deteriorating mental state were repeatedly raised to authorities by family members and fellow reservists. However, despite these warnings, the Army had allowed him to remain with his reserve unit and continue handling weapons until August, when he was declared nondeployable. In an unsettling turn of events, a fellow reservist even went as far as to warn an Army superior that Card was capable of “snapping” and committing a mass shooting.
Card’s behavior and deteriorating mental health were evidently a cause for concern long before the tragic mass shooting. However, due to various missed opportunities and lack of intervention, the warning signs were not heeded, ultimately leading to a devastating loss of life and injury in the Lewiston community. As the investigation into the tragedy continues, questions are being raised about the effectiveness of current protocols in addressing mental health concerns within the military and the broader implications for public safety and the wellbeing of service members.