Lewiston shootings: What we know about Robert Card, person of interest in mass shootings
At least 15 dead in multiple shootings in US state of Maine A man with a gun walks on the street after shoot civil in Maine, United States on October 26, 2023. At least 18 people were killed in shootings at multiple locations in the US state of Maine late Wednesday, according to a report. Maine State Police had issued a warning about an 'active shooter' incident in the city of Lewiston. (Photo by Maine state police/ Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images/Anadolu via Getty Images)
ByDebbie Lord, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Law enforcement officials said late Wednesday that they are looking for Robert Card, 40, in connection to the shootings that took at least 18 lives and injured 13 people. According to authorities, some of those injuries were reportedly from a stampede, NBC reported.
Hundreds of US police officers are searching for a gunman after deadly shootings in Lewiston, Maine
This is what is known about suspect Robert Card so far ⬇️
A shelter-in-place order was issued late Wednesday for Lewiston and the neighboring towns of Auburn and Lisbon, Maine, as authorities continue to search for Card. Schools in the towns will be closed on Thursday, as will all municipal buildings and state offices.
Here’s what we know now about Card:
Card “should be considered armed and dangerous,” the Lewiston Police Department said on Facebook. “Please contact law enforcement if you are aware of his whereabouts. If people see him, they should not approach Card or make contact with him in any way,” Maine Public Safety Commissioner Mike Sauschuck told reporters at a news conference, the Sun Journal reported.
Card studied engineering at the University of Maine from 2001 to 2004.
Card was first described as a trained firearms instructor according to the Maine Information and Analysis Center (MIAC), a database for law enforcement officials. However, on Thursday morning the agency updated its information saying there is no information that suggests he has had any special weapons training or was an instructor.
He is a sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserve serving as a petroleum supply specialist. He enlisted in 2002 and has no deployments on record.
According to MIAC, Card “recently reported mental health issues, saying he heard voices and threats to shoot up the National Guard Base in Saco, ME.”
He was reported to have been committed to a mental health facility for two weeks this summer.
The Associated Press reported that Card, who lives in Bowdoin, has a history of arrests for domestic violence and other crimes.
A white SUV linked to Card has been abandoned at a boat launch on the Androscoggin River in Lisbon Falls.
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Lewiston shootings LEWISTON, MAINE - OCTOBER 26: A police officer blocks access to the road to Sparetime Recreation on October 26, 2023 in Lewiston, Maine. Police are still searching for the suspect in the mass shooting, Robert Card, who killed over 15 people in two separate shootings. (Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images) (Scott Eisen/Getty Images)
Lewiston shootings LEWISTON, MAINE - OCTOBER 26: A police officer blocks access to the road to Sparetime Recreation on October 26, 2023 in Lewiston, Maine. Police are still searching for the suspect in the mass shooting, Robert Card, who killed over 15 people in two separate shootings. (Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images) (Scott Eisen/Getty Images)
Lewiston shootings LEWISTON, MAINE - OCTOBER 26: The side of Sparetime Recreation on October 26, 2023 in Lewiston, Maine. Police are still searching for the suspect in the mass shooting, Robert Card, who killed over 15 people in two separate shootings. (Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images) (Scott Eisen/Getty Images)
Lewiston shootings LEWISTON, MAINE - OCTOBER 26: Law enforcement officials investigate outside the Schemengees Bar and Grille on October 26, 2023 in Lewiston, Maine. Police are still searching for the suspect in the mass shooting, Robert Card, who killed over 15 people in two separate shootings. (Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images) (Scott Eisen/Getty Images)
Lewiston shootings LEWISTON, MAINE - OCTOBER 26: A police officer blocks access to the road to Sparetime Recreation on October 26, 2023 in Lewiston, Maine. Police are still searching for the suspect in the mass shooting, Robert Card, who killed over 15 people in two separate shootings. (Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images) (Scott Eisen/Getty Images)
Lewiston shootings LEWISTON, MAINE - OCTOBER 26: Maine Governor Janet Mills speaks during a press conference about the mass shooting on October 26, 2023 in Lewiston, Maine. Police are still searching for the suspect in the shooting, Robert Card, who allegedly killed 18 people in two separate locations. (Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images) (Scott Eisen/Getty Images)
Lewiston shootings LEWISTON, MAINE - OCTOBER 26: Jodie Cohen, Special Agent in charge of the FBI's Boston branch, gives an update during a press conference about the mass shooting on October 26, 2023 in Lewiston, Maine. Police are still searching for the suspect in the shooting, Robert Card, who allegedly killed 18 people in two separate locations on Wednesday night. (Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images) (Scott Eisen/Getty Images)