LEWISTON, Maine (AP) — In a shocking turn of events, a U.S. Army reservist suspected of committing at least 18 murders in Maine was apprehended by police after military officials expressed concerns about his erratic behavior. The reservist, Robert Card, caught the attention of the Army Reserve’s 3rd Battalion, 304th Infantry Regiment in mid-July while they were training at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York.
Military commanders, worried about Card’s safety, called the police for assistance, and he was taken to the Keller Army Community Hospital in West Point for evaluation. Card, 40, is now the subject of an arrest warrant for the attack in Lewiston, where shots were fired at a bowling alley, causing chaos and panic among bowlers. Maine State Police anticipate that the number of counts against Card will increase as they identify the other victims.
Interestingly, Card had caught the attention of law enforcement officials in the past. In 2023, he had been committed to a mental health facility for two weeks after reporting hearing voices and making threats to shoot up a military base. However, the specific details of his treatment and condition remain unknown.
The shooting incident at Schemengees Bar and Grille and Sparetime Recreation in Lewiston left a community in shock. Witnesses recall hearing gunshots and scrambling for safety. Schools and public buildings in the area closed as a precaution, and the surrounding region took measures to ensure the safety of its residents.
Tragically, this incident marks the 36th mass killing in the United States this year alone. Celebrities like Stephen King, who resides less than 50 miles away from the shooting site, have voiced their concerns about the prevalence of such events. The state of Maine, with its historical ties to gun ownership, is facing renewed scrutiny over its gun laws and mental health resources.
The impact of this tragic event is far-reaching. As the investigation unfolds, the community mourns the loss of innocent lives and grapples with the aftermath of this senseless act.
Sources:
– The Associated Press
– Facebook page of the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office
