Authorities tried to contact Robert Card over concerns he would ‘snap and commit a mass shooting’:docs

Maine authorities made an attempt to contact Robert Card six weeks before he gunned down 18 people when they were alerted of concerns the Army reservist would “snap and commit a mass shooting,” according to docs obtained by The Post.

A sergeant with the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office tried to conduct a welfare check on the 40-year-old man after they were told Card lashed out at his family and was hearing voices accusing him of being a “pedophile,” according to a pair of incident reports.

The officers were unable to locate the man who eventually shot and killed 18 people at a bar and bowling alley in Lewiston, Maine that sparked a massive manhunt, ending in Card’s apparent suicide.

Family members were among the first to sound an alarm over Card’s erratic behavior, and his brother even told police he would work to take Card’s guns away.

The US Army wrote in a letter to the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office that a fellow soldier was “concerned that Card is going to snap and commit a mass shooting,” according to an incident report filed by the sheriff’s office in mid-September.

Maine authorities made an attempt to contact Robert Card six weeks before he gunned down 18 people.AP

The soldier, identified only as SSG Hodgson, voiced his concern after Card punched him as the two were driving home from a casino.

“Card started talking about people calling him a pedophile again,” the letter from the Army states.

“When Hodgson told him to knock it off because he was going to get in trouble talking about shooting up places and people, Card punched him.

“Hodgson was able to get out of the car and made his own way home. According to Hodgson, Card said he has guns and is going to shoot up the drill center at Saco and other places.”

Police were they were alerted of concerns the Army reservist would snap and commit a mass shooting.AP
A sergeant with the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office tried to conduct a welfare check on the 40-year-old man after they were told Card lashed out at his family.Post Illustration

Card was previously committed to Four Winds Psychiatric Hospital in Westchester County, NY for treatment after he accused other soldiers of calling him a pedophile and that “he would take care of it” while a group of them were in New York, the Army letter states.

“During the four hours I was with Card he never spoke, just stared through me without blinking,” the letter states. “He spent 14 days at Four Winds then was released. To my knowledge he has not sought any more treatment since being released.”

Members of the Sagadahoc and Kennebec sheriff’s offices tried to talk to Card during the welfare check on Sept. 16, but he didn’t answer even though he appeared to be home, the document states. Law enforcement and the Army were aware Card was a proficient shooter and caution was required when attempting to contact him, the docs states.

Card’s brother also told authorities at one point Card usually comes to the door with a gun in hand, but out of view, the report states.

The US Army told CNN the health and wellness check was requested by Card’s unit “out of an abundance of caution after the unit became concerned for his safety” while declining to provide further information due to an ongoing Army probe.

Another incident report filed by the Sagadahoc sheriff’s office in May outline how Card’s family, including his son and ex-wife, noted he was suffering from mental problems as early as January.

Card became violent in his home and allegedly starting hearing voices.Robert Miller
Law enforcemnt officers gather outside Schemengees Bar and Grille in the aftermath of a mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine on Oct. 27, 2023. AP

His ex-wife also told police her former husband recently picked up 10-15 handguns and rifles that used to be stored at his brother’s house, the document states.

“… the guns are locked up in Robert’s bedroom but added he may have one in his truck,” the report states with Card’s son also telling police he “is concerned that his father has them.”

But according to the September incident report, Card’s brother told officials he and his father would work to make sure Robert “does not have access to any firearms.”