The recent shootings in Maine have been given more context as information is revealed about the perpetrator.
On Oct. 25 in Lewiston, Maine, Robert Card walked into Just-In-Time Recreation bowling alley armed with a semi-automatic rifle and open fire. Just minutes later, he would enter Schemengees Bar and Grille, with police receiving multiple calls about an “active shooter.”
The Lewiston shootings would leave 18 dead and 13 injured followed by a manhunt that would end on Oct. 27, where Card would be found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Card had a history of mental health issues prior to the events of the shooting. In May, his ex-wife and teenage son would visit the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office with concerns about Card.
According to his son, Card would display a “recurring theme” of paranoid behavior, often hearing people “talking about him” even when they were not nearby or speaking in his direction. This paranoia would lead to anger that would eventually be turned onto Card’s own family as well as the possession of 10-15 firearms.
Card would continue to display erratic behavior while serving as a US Army Reservist. In July, he was sent to an Army hospital for psychiatric evaluation after accusing fellow soldiers of calling him a pedophile while on a beer run.
Card would be discharged after 14 days in Aug., with the Army directing that he should not be allowed to use a weapon, handle ammunition, or participate in live-fire activity while on duty. According to a letter sent to a Sagadahoc Sheriff’s deputy by a fellow member of Card’s unit, Card had threatened to shoot up a multitude of places including the Army Reserve in Saco, Maine where Card had served.
These threats would lead to a wellness check done on Sept. 15, then again on Sept. 16. Both attempts to contact Card would be unsuccessful.
A File 6 Alert, which is a teletype used to try and locate a person, would be sent by the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office to other law enforcement agencies. The alert would be canceled just a week before the shootings.
Card’s history of mental health issues raise questions on his ability to possess firearms. This tragedy may have been prevented had Card’s been investigated further.