Maine Gunman Expresses Capability to Cause Harm in Police Footage Before Deadly Shooting

LEWISTON, Maine – Three months before the tragic mass shooting that claimed 18 lives at a bar and bowling alley in Lewiston, Maine, 40-year-old Army reservist Robert Card made a cryptic statement to police during a welfare check. Body cam footage obtained by WMTW shows Card telling New York State troopers that he was “capable” of doing “something.” This incident occurred as the troopers were enforcing a directive to bring Card to counseling services at a West Point Army facility, after concerns had been raised about his mental state by members of his Army Reserve unit.

The reservists expressed concerns about Card’s welfare and stated that they feared he might harm himself or others. They spoke of their years-long friendship with Card, revealing that it had become strained due to his deteriorating mental state. They also mentioned that he spent a significant amount of money on firearms and expressed delusional beliefs about people spreading rumors about him being gay and a pedophile.

Following the welfare check, Card’s mental health continued to decline, culminating in the tragic events of October 25, 2023, when he fatally shot 18 people before fleeing the scene. This sparked a massive manhunt that ended with the discovery of his body, where it was determined that he had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Medical examiners speculated that the wound had been administered eight to 12 hours before his body was found.

While the motive for the massacre remains a mystery, officials are investigating Card’s extensive history of mental health issues. Prior to the shooting, concerns had been raised by Card’s best friend, who had expressed fear that Card might “snap and do a mass shooting.” The tragic events have shed light on the importance of addressing mental health issues and the need for better support and intervention to prevent such devastating outcomes.