Police Confirm Warning Signs Of Maine Mass Shooter Were Downplayed

Police have confirmed that there were warning signs about Robert Card, the suspect in the Maine mass shootings, that were downplayed by a U.S. Army reservist.

Card, the 40-year-old suspect who killed 18 and injured 13 during his shooting spree in a bowling alley and a local restaurant in Lewiston, was a former military instructor.

As The Blast previously reported, Card stated he was hearing voices, and had allegedly threatened to shoot up the National Guard base in Saco. He also allegedly accused soldiers of calling him a pedophile, and even shoved a fellow soldier before locking himself in his room during training in New York.

After the Maine National Guard noticed Mr. Card acting strange, they asked local police to check on the reservist, concerned he would “snap and commit a mass shooting.” Police officers from the Sagadahoc County and Kennebec County Sheriff’s Offices responded to a call to check on Robert Card less than six weeks before the mass shootings occurred in Lewiston, Maine.

Now, newly released police footage shows Saco Police Department Officers Rodney Rossignol and Amber Damon had also interviewed U.S. Army reservist Capt. Jeremy Reamer approximately one month before the tragic events took place in Lewiston, Maine.

Police are heard in the video footage addressing the accusations that Robert Card may have wanted to open fire at the base.

The body cam footage, which was released to NBC over the weekend, shows Reamer then telling the two officers that Card “never made any specific threats." He also claims that the soldier who initially reported concerns about Card's mental stability “is not the most credible.”

Reamer then admitted that Card “did say he would shoot places, but didn’t say here,” referencing the Army base they were at.

The footage was captured on September 16, and the shootings occurred on October 25.

The officers were interviewing Reamer to see if they should continue to keep an eye on Card and stake out his home, but the U.S. Army reservist told police, “I don’t see that we need to tie you guys up."

Reamer then informed police that if Card showed up at the base with violent intentions or threats, "we will do our best to kind of de-escalate, handle it, on our end.”

“He’s not supposed to be here,” he then said.

It was previously reported that Robert Card was committed to a mental health facility for two weeks this summer.

Following his time in the hospital, Card’s superiors were told that he should not handle any weapons or participate in live-fire activities; however, Robert Card was still able to legally purchase firearms just days before the Maine mass shootings occurred.

Plus, 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.”

Robert Card was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after a massive manhunt took place over the course of 48+ hours. 18 individuals were killed and 13 injured during a shooting spree in a bowling alley and a local restaurant in Lewiston.