Police Confirm Maine Shooting Suspect Bought Guns Legally Despite Mental Health History
By Kelly Coffey-Behrens on October 29, 2023 at 10:46 AM EDT
Law enforcement officials have confirmed that the 40-year-old suspect in the Maine mass shooting, which resulted in 18 fatalities, purchased the guns used in the tragic events legally.
Robert Card, the primary suspect in the mass shooting that took place in Lewiston last Wednesday, was found dead Friday evening after a massive manhunt took place over the course of 48+ hours. He was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police confirmed.
Police also confirmed that Card purchased the guns he owned legally.
Maine Mass Shooter Suspect Purchased Guns Legally, Says Police
“At 7:45 [Thursday] night, Mr. Card was located deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound,” Maine Department of Public Safety Commissioner Mike Sauschuck said Friday morning, confirming that Mr. Card died by suicide. Sauschuck also confirmed that the suspected gunman was found in a trailer in a recycling center from which Card had been fired.
Following the discovery of Mr. Card's body, police held a press conference, in which they confirmed that the 40-year-old suspect had purchased the guns legally, despite having a concerning mental health history.
The 40-year-old recently stated he was hearing voices, and had allegedly threatened to shoot up the National Guard base in Saco. He was then committed to a mental health facility for two weeks this summer.
Prior to being ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation, Mr. Card had legally purchased guns in July.
In addition, only ten days before the mass shooting, Mr. Card had purchased a high-powered Ruger SFAR rifle. This weapon was also obtained legally. The state of Maine, where he purchased the gun, does not require background checks on all gun sales.
New York State Police Involved In Recent Incident Involving Robert Card
Robert Card was reportedly a sergeant first class in the U.S. Army Reserve, where he enlisted in the Reserve in 2002. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 304th Infantry Regiment in Saco, Maine, U.S. Army spokesperson Bryce Dubee told CBS News.
In July, New York State Police were called to Camp Smith, where Robert Card was serving in the National Guard. According to police, Mr. Card was acting “belligerent” and was potentially “intoxicated.”
An unnamed federal law enforcement informed Army personnel that Mr. Card claimed he was “hearing voices” and having thoughts about “hurting other soldiers," per CNN.
Police Find Suspicious Note In Robert Card's Home
Prior to discovering Mr. Card's body, the FBI located a note in a home, which was believed to be owned by Mr. Card.
Maine Department of Public Safety Commissioner Mike Sauschuck gave more details regarding the note found in Mr. Card’s home on Friday morning, explaining that it was a paper-style note addressed to a loved one. The note reportedly stated, “This is the passcode for my phone; this is the bank account number.”
Although Sauschuck did not describe it as an explicit suicide note, he did state that the note indicated that Mr. Card would not be around for much longer, and wanted this loved one to know about these personal details. The police do have a search warrant for Mr. Card’s cellphone and will release more details as law enforcement continues their investigation.
The Blast will continue to report on any new information that is released regarding the unfortunate events that occurred in Maine on Wednesday evening.
