Robert Card was the suspect of the deadliest mass shooting in Maine history, which occurred on October 25, 2023, in Lewiston. He was a 40-year-old Army reservist who had a history of mental health issues and had legally purchased a high-powered rifle days before the rampage. He killed 18 people and injured 13 others at two locations: a bowling alley and a bar. He was found dead two days later from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, ending a massive manhunt that had the state on edge. In this article, we will tell you more about Robert Card and his motive for the shooting.
Robert Card was born in April 1983 and grew up in Maine. He joined the Army Reserve in 2002 and served as a combat engineer. He was deployed to Iraq in 2005 and Afghanistan in 2010. He received several awards and commendations for his service, including the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. He was still an active reservist at the time of the shooting.
According to law enforcement sources, Card had been struggling with mental health problems for years. He had been hearing voices and having thoughts of harming other soldiers. He had been hospitalized twice in July 2023, once after acting belligerently and possibly intoxicated at Camp Smith, a military base in New York, and once after being referred by his command for medical evaluation. He was released both times without being diagnosed or treated.
On October 15, 2023, Card legally purchased a Ruger SFAR rifle that fired high-powered .308 ammunition from a gun store in Maine. This was the same rifle that police believe he used in the shooting spree on October 25. He also bought a Beretta 92-F 9mm semi-automatic pistol, which was found in his car along with the rifle.
On October 25, around 6:56 p.m., Card entered Sparetime Recreation, a bowling alley in Lewiston, and opened fire on the patrons and employees. He killed seven people, including one woman and six men, and wounded several others. He then fled the scene and drove to Schemengees Bar and Grille, about four miles away. There, he entered the billiards room and shot eight more people, all men, killing them instantly. He also injured more people who were outside or in other parts of the bar. He then escaped again and drove away.
The motive for the shooting is still unknown, but police suspect that Card may have been targeting people he knew or had some connection with. Some of the victims were former co-workers or acquaintances of Card, who had worked at various places in Lewiston, such as a recycling center, a pizza shop and a car dealership. Some of the victims were also veterans or reservists like Card.
The shooting triggered a massive manhunt that involved hundreds of state and local police officers, federal agents and National Guard troops. They searched for Card across several towns and counties, using helicopters, drones, dogs and boats. They also warned the public to stay indoors and report any sightings of Card or his white Subaru Outback.
On October 27, around 10:30 a.m., police found Card’s body near a recycling center in Lisbon, where he used to work. He had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Police also found his car nearby, with the rifle and pistol inside.
Robert Card was the suspect of the worst mass shooting in Maine history, which claimed the lives of 18 people and injured 13 others. He was a troubled Army reservist who had bought a powerful rifle days before the attack. He targeted two locations in Lewiston where he had some ties with some of the victims. He evaded capture for two days before killing himself. His motive remains unclear.