Current:Home > StocksMaine shooting suspect was 'behaving erratically' during summer: Defense official -OceanicInvest
Maine shooting suspect was 'behaving erratically' during summer: Defense official
View
Date:2025-04-16 13:45:46
A manhunt is underway for the suspect in a mass shooting in Maine that killed at least 18 people and wounded 13 others, officials said.
The mass shooting unfolded in two locations in Lewiston on Wednesday evening: a bowling alley where a children's league was taking place and a local bar, officials said.
The Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office released a photo Tuesday night of the suspect brandishing a semi-automatic rifle at one of the locations.
The suspected gunman -- identified as 40-year-old Robert Card -- has 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.
An arrest warrant has been issued against Card for eight counts of murder for the victims who have been identified so far, officials said. The arrest warrant will be updated when the other 10 victims are identified.
"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.
MORE: Maine mass shooting live updates
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.
"There’s still an active search for the suspect in question," he said.
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.
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.
MORE: Maine shooting timeline: How the mass shootings in Lewiston unfolded
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.
New York State Police has stationed armed troopers at the entrances to Camp Smith as a precaution to beef up the armed security, according to the official.
No further details were released by the official.
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.
veryGood! (3)
Related
- Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
- Love Is Blind's Shake Reacts to Deepti's Massive Influencer Success
- Is Mar-a-Lago worth $1 billion? Trump’s winter home valuations are at the core of his fraud trial
- South Carolina nuclear plant gets yellow warning over another cracked emergency fuel pipe
- FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
- Fantasy football stock watch: Vikings rookie forced to step forward
- Chinese developer Country Garden says it can’t meet debt payment deadlines after sales slump
- 'The Exorcist: Believer' lures horror fans, takes control of box office with $27.2M
- Former longtime South Carolina congressman John Spratt dies at 82
- Russia reports coolant leak in backup line at space station and says crew not in danger
Ranking
- Trump invites nearly all federal workers to quit now, get paid through September
- 32 things we learned in NFL Week 5: Ravens, Patriots spiral as other teams get right
- 'Hell on earth': Israel unrest spotlights dire conditions in Gaza
- Mexico to send diplomatic note protesting Texas border truck inspections causing major delays
- Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie return for an 'Encore,' reminisce about 'The Simple Life'
- Caitlyn Jenner Addresses What She Knows About Kim Kardashian's Sex Tape Release
- Nancy Mace says she supports Jim Jordan for House speaker
- US Postal Service proposes new postage stamp price hikes set to begin in 2024
Recommendation
New Zealand official reverses visa refusal for US conservative influencer Candace Owens
Palestinian civilians suffer in Israel-Gaza crossfire as death toll rises
NHL predictions: Experts make their Stanley Cup, awards picks for 2023-24 season
Soccer Star Neymar Welcomes First Baby With Girlfriend Bruna Biancardi 3 Months After Cheating Rumors
Rylee Arnold Shares a Long
Full transcript of Face the Nation, Oct. 8, 2023
'Hell on earth': Israel unrest spotlights dire conditions in Gaza
Savannah Chrisley Details Taking on Guardianship of Her Siblings at Age 26