Maine mass shooting suspect found dead: What we know about Robert Card

The 40-year-old U.S. Army reservist was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, sources say.

ByLuis Martinez and Meredith Deliso ABCNews logo
Saturday, October 28, 2023
What we know about the Maine shooting suspect's past
7 On Your Side Investigative Reporter Kristin Thorne digs deeper into what we know about the Maine shooting suspect's past.

LEWISTON, Maine -- Maine mass shooting suspect Robert Card was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound on Friday night. The 40-year-old U.S. Army reservist allegedly killed 18 people and injured 13 others on Wednesday evening.

"Robert Card is dead," she said. Robert Card is no longer a threat to anyone."

SEE ALSO: What we know about the Maine mass shooting victims

She also thanked local, county and state law enforcement for working tirelessly over the past few days and nights.

Officials say the body was found at 7:45 p.m. ET Friday along a river in Lisbon Falls, in the town of Lisbon, Maine. Law enforcement officials tell ABC News the body was discovered at a recycling center where Card had worked.

The shooting happened at a bowling alley and a local bar and restaurant, according to Maine State Police.

Seven people were killed at Just-In-Time Recreation, a bowling alley formerly known as Sparetime, and eight people were killed in the billiards room at Schemengees Bar & Grille restaurant. An additional three victims died at the hospital, authorities said during a press conference on Thursday morning.

This handout photo from the Department of Public safety shows all 18 victims from the Lewiston, Maine mass shooting.
Courtesy of the victims' families and the Department of Public Safety

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The Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office released a photo Tuesday night of the suspect brandishing a semi-automatic rifle at one of the locations.

Card had been a U.S. Army reservist since December 2002, the Army confirmed. His current rank is as a sergeant first class and his job is a petroleum supply specialist. He has no combat deployments.

Authorities found the suspect's white Subaru at a location in Lisbon, several miles southeast of Lewiston, Wednesday night, sources said. The abandoned car was a critical piece of evidence in allowing police to focus on Card, multiple law enforcement officials told ABC News.

A U.S. Defense Department official confirmed to ABC News that Card was "behaving erratically" while deployed over the summer with his Army Reserve Unit to Camp Smith Training Center in upstate New York to support summer training for West Point cadets.

SEE ALSO: A list of mass killings, active shooter incidents in the United States since January

Leaders of the Army Reserve's 3rd Battalion, 304th Infantry Regiment informed garrison staff at the training site about his behavior on July 17, the defense official said.

"Out of concern for his safety, the unit requested that law enforcement be contacted," the official said.

New York State Police officers responded and transported Card to Keller Army Community Hospital at the U.S. Military Academy for medical evaluation, the official said, adding that they've also stationed armed troopers at the entrances to Camp Smith as a precaution to beef up the armed security.

No further details were released by the official.

An arrest warrant was issued against Card.

TIMELINE: How mass shootings in Lewiston unfolded

"Mr. Card is considered armed and dangerous, and police advise that Maine people should not approach him under any circumstances," Maine Gov. Janet Mills said during a press briefing on Wednesday.

Maine officials did not speak to a potential motive, but said they are looking into Card's mental health when asked during the press briefing about his background and gun possession.

"I know that we will be reviewing that information as we move forward, but that's not an answer that we're prepared to give today," Maine Department of Public Safety Commissioner Mike Sauschuck said.

SEE ALSO: Witnesses describe terrifying moments after Maine mass shooting

Card was not assigned to West Point as any sort of instructor, including firearms, an academy official told ABC News.

"While his unit supported West Point summer training, our records indicate he did not instruct nor have any interactions with cadets in training," the official said.

Card's military service awards include the Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Army Service Ribbon.