Robert Card manhunt day 2: Cops fear Maine mass shooting suspect escaped on jet ski after ditching car at boat dock
BOWDOIN, MAINE: Authorities believe that the suspected shooter Robert Card, who killed 18 people in the Maine mass shooting, may have made his getaway on a jet ski following the horrifying bloodshed.
The 40-year-old Army Reservist has been on the run since Wednesday, October 25 when he used an AR-15-style rifle to open fire at a bowling alley and pool hall in Lewiston, Maine, injuring 13 and killing at least 18 people.
Officials began searching a waterway entry to the Androscoggin River on Thursday morning after Card’s abandoned white Subaru Outback was discovered at a boat dock in Miller Park.
A spokesperson for the US Coastguard told DailyMail that officers are searching for Card's boat, a 15-ft Bayliner, which has been missing since the rampage.
According to marine documents obtained by the outlet, the firearms instructor registered a 2019 Sea Doo jet ski in his name in June, raising concerns that he would have used the vessel to escape law enforcement after opening fire.
Maine State Police aircraft previously searched a short portion of the river in an attempt to locate Card, who has been suffering from mental health issues.
They further claimed that at 8.01 on Thursday morning, a blue Chevy Suburban with the Maine license plate 6625ZD—which is thought to be carrying Card—crossed into Massachusetts on the I-93.
Arrest warrant issued for Robert Card
There is an arrest warrant out for eight counts of murder for Card, according to CBS News. Currently, more than 350 law enforcement officers from both state and federal agencies have been searching the area to find Card with the assistance of dogs, drones, and helicopters.
On Thursday, authorities were seen attempting to serve a search warrant at Card’s home at around 5 pm. Police could be heard shouting for someone to come out and approach the front of the residence, while TV news teams were requested to turn off their lights.
Officers ordered someone inside to come out of the rural “with nothing in their hands,” adding that their “safety could be guaranteed,” according to the Independent.
This came after Card’s sister told authorities that he may have targeted Schemengees Bar and Grille and Just-In-Time Recreation bowling alley in the hope of finding his former lover, ABC reported.
Court documents show his ex-wife filed for divorce in 2007 and they were granted joint custody of their child. However, it’s currently unclear if she was his most recent ex.
Law enforcement sources told the outlet that Card had left a suicide note addressed to his son. But the note apparently said nothing about his motive behind the bloodshed.
Survivors describe the scary rampage
Survivors are now coming forward to describe the scary moment when Card opened fire at a bowling alley where children were playing.
Meghan Hutchinson spoke of the trauma she experienced when her daughter was hit by a bullet when they were fleeing the gunman in the bowling alley.
"We were in the back room. Another child came in whose arm had a massive ... was bleeding profusely. So we barricaded in there and another parent was in the room with me. She had a phone and she called 911," the mother told WMTW.
The mother, who wishes to remain anonymous, requested prayers for her 22-year-old son, who was struck four times and is currently on a ventilator. About twenty other people, she said WMTV, were also waiting for updates on their loved ones in the hospital.