Current:Home > NewsMaine shooting suspect was 'behaving erratically' during summer: Defense official -WorldMoney
Maine shooting suspect was 'behaving erratically' during summer: Defense official
View
Date:2025-04-18 13:17:18
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! (234)
Related
- Trump issues order to ban transgender troops from serving openly in the military
- Patrick Mahomes Shares What He’s Learned From Friendship With Taylor Swift
- Changing course, Florida prosecutor suspended by DeSantis to seek reelection
- Man gets 4 death sentences for kidnapping, rape and murder of 5-year-old Georgia girl
- Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Coast to Coast
- Imprisoned drug-diluting pharmacist to be moved to halfway house soon, victims’ lawyer says
- A former youth detention center resident testifies about ‘hit squad’ attack
- US wholesale inflation accelerated in November in sign that some price pressures remain elevated
- The hard part is over for Caitlin Clark. Now, she has WNBA draft class to share spotlight
Ranking
- Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie return for an 'Encore,' reminisce about 'The Simple Life'
- Minnesota Democratic leader disavows local unit’s backing of candidate accused of stalking lawmaker
- When is the 2024 NFL draft? Dates, times, location for this year's extravaganza
- Closure of troubled California prison won’t happen before each inmate’s status is reviewed
- California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
- Citing safety, USC cancels speech by valedictorian who has publicly supported Palestinians
- Wawa is giving customers free coffee in honor of its 60th anniversary: What to know
- Kentucky ballot measure should resolve school-choice debate, Senate leader says
Recommendation
IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
Campus crime is spiking to pre-pandemic levels. See your college’s numbers in our data.
Michigan attorney general to announce charges in investigation of former top lawmaker
Indiana limits abortion data for privacy under near-total ban, but some GOP candidates push back
Tarte Shape Tape Concealer Sells Once Every 4 Seconds: Get 50% Off Before It's Gone
Charlize Theron's Daughter August Looks So Grown Up in Rare Public Appearance
How Kansas women’s disappearance on a drive to pick up kids led to 4 arrests in Oklahoma
Yoto Mini Speakers for children recalled due to burn and fire hazards