AUGUSTA, Maine – Maine state police defended their handling of the search for the gunman responsible for the deadliest shooting in the state’s history. The shooting, which took place on October 25, resulted in the deaths of 18 people. It took two days for police to locate the body of the shooter, Robert Card, who died by suicide. Tens of thousands of Maine residents were ordered to shelter in their homes during the search for Card.
Police Chief Col. Bill Ross described the shooting as “extremely challenging” due to the two separate locations involved and the intense search that followed. He emphasized the immense pressure on law enforcement to locate Card as time passed.
Maj. Lucas Hare, who heads the state police operations division, explained his decision to delay a search of the woods surrounding Card’s abandoned car, citing concerns of a potential ambush due to Card’s military training. Hare’s decision was met with some criticism, but he defended it as the best course of action given the circumstances.
In addition to the challenges faced during the search, the presence of multiple police agencies and the influx of emergency calls added to the confusion and tension. Despite responding to numerous leads and tips, police were unable to locate Card until the third search of a recycling facility, where his body was found.
The state’s chief medical examiner estimated that Card likely died eight to 12 hours before his body was discovered, raising questions about his movements after abandoning his vehicle. The discovery of a note on his cellphone dated three days before the shooting revealed troubling signs about his mental state and intentions.
The formation of a commission by Governor Janet Mills and Attorney General Aaron Frey aims to evaluate the law enforcement response to the shooting and potential measures to prevent future mass shootings. The investigation also highlighted warning signs about Card’s deteriorating mental health and concerns raised by his relatives and fellow reservists prior to the shooting.