Robert Card, a 40-year-old soldier serving in the US Army Reserve, is under suspicion for a shooting in a small town in northern Maine.
The incident occurred in Lewiston on Wednesday night, with both a bowling alley and a bar being targeted. It is one of the deadliest mass shootings since the tragic 2017 Las Vegas music festival shooting that left nearly 60 people dead.
Authorities have issued a murder warrant for Card, Colonel William Ross of the Maine State Police said during a news conference. Card is considered “armed and dangerous” and the public has been warned not to approach him.
Photographs were released by the Lewiston Police Department of a bearded man wearing a gray hoodie and blue cargo pants, armed with an assault rifle.
Robert Card, born in 1983, has a background as a certified firearms instructor and is a member of the U.S. Army Reserve. According to official sources, he holds the rank of Sergeant First Class in the Army Reserve and was recruited in December 2002.
His military occupation is as a petroleum supply specialist, responsible for ensuring fuel supplies to maintain military readiness.
Reports noted that Card spent two weeks in a mental health facility at the beginning of the year after making alleged threats to fire at a National Guard facility.
A law enforcement bulletin cited his recent reports of mental health issues, including hearing voices and making threats, related to the National Guard base in Saco, Maine.
However, during the press conference, officials avoided giving details about the motive behind the shooting, adding that it is still under investigation.
It is important to note that Card’s military service information does not specify his role as a firearms instructor, raising the possibility that he held this position in a civilian capacity.
Liam Kent, a Maine resident, shared information about Card and his family, describing them as “gun radicals” associated with right-wing militias. Kent said the family was known in town for these organizations and advised locals to stay away from them.
