Lewiston, Maine – An Army reservist responsible for the deadliest shooting in Maine history received high praise from superiors prior to the tragic event. Robert Card, 40, was described as a “consummate professional” and an excellent squad leader in his annual evaluation from April 2023. Despite these positive reviews, concerns about his mental health were growing among some family members. Six months after the evaluation, Card committed a mass shooting, claiming the lives of 18 individuals before taking his own life.
During his time as a reservist, Card had received mental health-related training as a suicide prevention officer in his unit. However, his personnel files did not contain any disciplinary records. This lack of disciplinary history raised questions about the effectiveness of the evaluation process and the ability to identify potential red flags in his behavior.
In the months leading up to the mass shooting, concerns about Card’s mental state were raised by fellow Army reservists. Body camera footage captured several reservists expressing alarm about his behavior during interviews with police. Despite these warnings and concerns, there was no mention of them in Card’s personnel records dating back to his enlistment in 2002.
The tragic events of the mass shooting at a bowling alley and a bar in Lewiston prompted an independent commission to investigate the incident. Testimonies from Card’s fellow reservists shed light on the warning signs that were seemingly overlooked before the attack. One reservist even issued a stark warning to a superior officer six weeks prior, expressing a belief that Card was capable of carrying out a mass shooting.
Despite being described as a dedicated and skilled trainer in his evaluations, Card’s deteriorating mental state was evident in his interactions with his peers. Following a disturbing incident where he pushed a fellow reservist and locked himself in a motel room, Card made alarming statements to police about his capabilities and intentions.
Tragically, the manhunt that ensued after the mass shooting ended with Card taking his own life in a parking lot, leaving behind a trail of devastation. The investigation into the incident highlighted the importance of addressing mental health concerns within the military and the need for thorough evaluations to identify potential risks before they escalate.