A manhunt is underway for Robert Card, the Maine man believed to have killed 18 people in two mass shooting events on Wednesday.
U.S. Army spokesperson Bryce Dubee confirmed to the Portland Press Herald that Card, 40, is an Army Reserve Sgt. 1st Class and a petroleum supply specialist. He enlisted in 2002 and has never seen combat.
Dubee also told the news outlet that Card has received various awards, including the Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Army Service Ribbon.
Additionally, Clifford Steeves, who reportedly served alongside Card, described him as a trained firearms instructor to the Daily Beast. Meanwhile, the Bangor Daily News reported that Card studied engineering technology at the University of Maine from 2001 to 2004 but he did not graduate.
Officials announced on Thursday that Card is wanted on eight counts of murder for the shootings at Just-In-Time Recreation bowling alley and Schemengees Bar and Grill in Lewiston. Though at least 18 people were killed, 10 of the victims remain unidentified.
Card was said to live in Bowdoin. The Portland Press Herald reported that helicopters were seen flying over a Bowdoin home which is owned by either Card or his parents.
Officials urged that Card — whose whereabouts are unknown — should be considered armed and dangerous. They declined to divulge details regarding his mental health, but his sister-in-law, Katie Card, revealed to the Daily Beast that he “acute episode of mental health” in the months leading up to the shooting.
A police bulletin indicated that Card reported hearing voices and had threatened to “shoot up” a military facility in Saco. They also claimed he spent two weeks in a mental health facility this past summer.
“He’s got a lot of problems up in his head right now, one of them’s a schizophrenic,” cousin Michael Mercier told WBZ-TV.
A New York Army National Guard told CBS that Card experienced a mental health break while undergoing training at the United States Military Academy in July:
“Out of concern for his safety, the unit requested that law enforcement be contacted. New York State Police responded and transported Card to Keller Army Community Hospital at the United States Military Academy for medical evaluation.”
This story is developing. A live stream of ongoing coverage in Maine can be viewed below:
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[Featured image: Robert Card/Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office]
