Robert Card: Maine mass shooting suspect found dead after two-day manhunt
LEWISTON, MAINE: Maine mass shooting suspect Robert Card has died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to police reports.
The body of the 40-year-old who allegedly carried out the deadliest mass shooting of 2023 on Wednesday, October 25, was found in the woods by Maine Recycling near Lisbon Falls around 7.45 pm.
A 48-hour-long manhunt came to an end when Card’s body was found in the same recycling center from where he had been fired earlier, per CNN.
Maine Department of Public Safety Commissioner Mike Sauschuck revealed that Card’s lifeless body was found near the Androscoggin River about eight miles southeast of the second shooting location, The Associated Press reports.
During a news conference on Friday night, Governor Janet Mills said, “Like many people I’m breathing a sigh of relief tonight knowing that Robert Card is no longer a threat to anyone.”
She added, “Now is the time to heal,” before continuing, “With this search concluded, I know that law enforcement continues to fully investigate all the facts so we can bring what closure we can to the victims and their families.”
President Joe Biden said in a statement on Friday, “Tonight we’re grateful that Lewiston and surrounding communities are safe after spending excruciating days hiding in their homes.”
Biden added, “Americans should not have to live like this” and urged Congress to take action on gun violence.
What did Robert Card do?
The alleged suspect launched the rampage at the Just-In-Time Recreation bowling alley in Lewiston just before 7 pm. He entered the bowling arena and started firing with his assault rifle.
Just a few minutes later at 7.08 pm, police started getting multiple 911 calls from the Schemengees Bar and Grille Restaurant which is located around four miles from the first location.
Card’s rampage killed at least 18 people and 13 additional people received injury, CBS reports.
Card, an Army Reservist, was last seen at the second shooting location from where he fled.
Police later found his abandoned car, a white Subaru with a black bumper at the Pejepscot Boat Launch on the Androscoggin River in Lisbon, seven miles from Lewiston.
While a gun was found in the car, it’s unclear whether it was the same gun that was used in the shooting. The federal agents are testing to determine whether the same gun was used in the massacre.
Before locating his body, police secured the woods and the Card-family-owned properties in search of the alleged suspect.
On Thursday, October 26, the investigators also found a suicide note from Card’s Bowdoin home. It was addressed to his teenage son who he shared with his ex-wife.
Robert Card was dealing with mental health issues
Robert Card’s sister-in-law Katie Card, said in an earlier interview with The Daily Beast that the suspect “had an acute episode of mental health and it’s been a struggle,” adding he was also hearing voices.
Katie, who is the wife of Card’s brother Ryan, said on Thursday, October 26, “He truly believed he was hearing people say things.”
"This all just happened within the last few months,” she added.
Card also spent a few weeks at a mental health facility in the summer.