Maine mass shooting: Suspect Robert Card studied engineering at the University of Maine
BOWDOIN CENTER, MAINE: The person of interest in connection with the Wednesday night mass shooting in Lewiston, Robert Card, studied engineering at the University of Maine about 20 years ago, a school representative said.
Card was a student there from 2001 to 2004, though it was not immediately clear whether he graduated, University of Maine spokesperson Eric Gordon shared with NBC News early Thursday.
Gordon said he did not have access overnight to any other student information about Card.
More on Robert Card
According to individuals who spoke with The Post, Card is from Bowdoin, Maine, and is thought to be an Army Reservist stationed in Saco. Reports suggest that Card was born on April 4, 1983.
CBS News journalist David Begnaud tweeted that the 40-year-old is a certified weapons instructor.
BREAKING from CBS News: MAINE LAW ENFOCEMENT BULLETIN: Maine State Police is attempting to locate Robert Card as a person of interest regarding a mass shooting incident at Schemeagees Bar and Grille Restaurant and the Sparetime Recreation in Lewiston.
— David Begnaud (@DavidBegnaud) October 26, 2023
Card is a trained firearms…
In the summer of 2023, Card was admitted to a mental health institution for a few weeks after disclosing mental health struggles.
He was released after a brief two-week stay, NBC News reported.
A bulletin put out by the Maine Information and Analysis Center, a database for law enforcement officials, that Card “recently reported mental health issues to include hearing voices and threats to shoot up the National Guard Base in Saco, ME.”
Card's phone number was marked as inactive, according to the Associated Press. Additionally, it appears that Robert had recently lost his job, CNN said live on October 25.
According to his now-deleted Facebook page, Card had served in the Us Army for over 20 years.
Card, who is twice divorced and a father of three children, has a history of arrests for domestic violence and other crimes, according to Marca.
One of his ex-wives even obtained a restraining order against him.
What did the authorities have to say?
Lewiston Police Department previously announced that Card "should be considered armed and dangerous."
"Please contact law enforcement if you are aware of his whereabouts,” officials said in a Facebook post.
“If people see him, they should not approach Card or make contact with him in any way,” Maine Public Safety Commissioner Mike Sauschuck told reporters at a news conference.
A senior White House official stated that President Joe Biden has been briefed on the deadly shooting and he "will continue to receive updates."
The official said that POTUS spoke to Maine Governor Janet Mills, Senators Angus King and Susan Collins, and Congressman Jared Golden about the shooting and offered full federal support in the wake of the horrific attack.
“I am heartbroken for our city and our people,” Mayor Carl Sheline said in a statement. “Lewiston is known for our strength and grit and we will need both in the days to come.”