Mass shootings in southern Maine have left the community in shock, with authorities launching a manhunt for a person of interest in the case. Public school districts have canceled classes, and residents are being urged to stay indoors as law enforcement races to apprehend the individual responsible.
The person of interest in this ongoing investigation is Robert R. Card, a U.S. Army reservist who had previously been committed to a mental health facility over the summer. Police have circulated images of a bearded man in a brown hooded sweatshirt and jeans, armed with what appeared to be a semi-automatic rifle. Governor Mills described the situation as a “dark day for Maine” and emphasized the importance of not approaching Card under any circumstances due to the potential danger he poses.
Maine State Police have located a white SUV believed to be driven by Card in the town of Lisbon, about 7 miles southeast of the initial crime scenes. As a precaution, residents in both Lewiston and Lisbon have been advised to remain indoors. Additional safety measures were taken in the town of Bowdoin, where Card resides, about 12 miles east of Lewiston.
Communities of Lewiston and Lisbon
The communities of Lewiston and Lisbon found themselves in an eerie quiet. It was Thursday morning, with minimal vehicular traffic and few people outside. Many businesses in the downtown areas remained closed, contributing to the tense atmosphere.
According to a law enforcement bulletin, Robert R. Card, aged 40, is a trained firearms instructor at the U.S. Army Reserve base in Saco, Maine. He had reported experiencing auditory hallucinations and other mental health issues. Card had made threats related to the National Guard base in Saco. They had spent two weeks in a mental health facility during the summer of 2023. Although the bulletin provided these details, they could not be independently confirmed.
The U.S. Army confirmed Card’s role as a sergeant and a petroleum supply specialist in the Army Reserve, with no record of combat deployment since enlisting in 2002.
The series of Maine mass shootings began at the Just-In-Time Recreation bowling alley shortly before 7 p.m. Subsequently, reports of another shooting emerged at Schemengees Bar & Grille Restaurant, located about three miles away. The investigation into these tragic events continues, as authorities work to ensure the safety and security of the affected communities.
