Family of Maine shooting suspect says his mental health had deteriorated rapidly
The sister-in-law of Robert Card said they had contacted his Army Reserve unit and police
•
NBC Universal, Inc.
The search for a mass killer in Maine continued Thursday with the town of Lewiston still under lockdown hours after deadly shootings at two local businesses.
The family of the Army reservist accused of fatally shooting more than a dozen people in Lewiston, Maine, alerted police and military officials that he was experiencing an “acute” mental health episode before the Wednesday night massacre, the suspect’s sister-in-law said.
Robert Card, 40, a firearms instructor and longtime member of the Army Reserve, began to hear voices that were saying “horrible” things about him a couple of months ago when he was fitted for high-powered hearing aids, according to Katie Card, who is married to his brother.
Katie Card said the family did their best to reassure Robert Card that the comments were not real, including by verifying with some of the people he claimed had made the remarks. But, she said, “it turned into a manic belief.”
“He was just very set in his belief that everyone was against him all of a sudden,” she said.
Angela Weiss / Getty Images
A sign reading “Lewiston Strong” is displayed in Lewiston, Maine, on Friday, Oct. 27, 2023.
Robert F. Bukaty / AP
Jess Paquette expresses her support for her city in the wake of Wednesday’s mass shootings in Lewiston, Maine.
Joe Raedle / Getty
Law enforcement officials gather in the road leading to the Bowdoin, Maine home of the suspect being sought in connection with the mass shootings, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023.
Steven Senne / AP
Maine State Police Col. William Ross, center, appears emotional as he faces reporters while Maine Gov. Janet Mills, left, and Maine Commissioner of Public Safety Mike Sauschuck, right, look on, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023, during a news conference at Lewiston City Hall, in Lewiston, Maine.
John Tlumacki / The Boston Globe via Getty Images
Artist Miia Zellner walks away after nailing hearts she made to trees on Main Street in Lewiston, Maine, the day after mass shootings took place in the city.
Scott Eisen / Getty
A sign on a Starbucks restaurant announces it is temporarily closed as people shelter in place following a mass shooting and subsequent manhunt, on Oct. 26, 2023 in Portland, Maine.
Sofia Aldinio for The Washington Post via Getty
Maria Wilson shows emotion near a reunification center set up at Auburn Middle School on early Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023 in Auburn, Maine. Wilson came to the reunification center trying to find out information about a person she knew who was at Schemengees Bar and Grille at the time of the shooting.
Angela Weiss / AFP via Getty
Law enforcement are seen outside the home of suspect Robert Card’s father and brother in Bowdoin, Maine on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023.
Joe Raedle / Getty
Law Enforcement officials gather near a home as they prepare to search it for the suspect in connection with two mass shootings on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023 in Bowdoin, Maine.
Fatih Aktas/Anadolu via Getty
Heavily armed police search the home of suspect Robert Card’s father and brother in Bowdoin, Maine on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023.
Robert F. Bukaty / AP
Police respond to an active shooter situation in Lewiston, Maine, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023.
Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office / AP
In this image taken from video released by the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office, an unidentified gunman points a gun while entering Sparetime Recreation in Lewiston, Maine, on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023.
Lewiston Maine Police Department / AP
This photo released by the Lewiston, Maine, Police Department on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023, shows a vehicle police are seeking information on in connection to an active shooter situation in Lewiston, Maine.
Steven Senne / AP
People depart an emergency department entrance at Central Maine Medical Center during an active shooter situation, in Lewiston, Maine, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023.
Fatih Aktas/Anadolu / Getty
A view of the street while police officers close the road as they patrol around the surrounding area, October 26, 2023.
Jessica Rinaldi / The Boston Globe via Getty Images
Law enforcement officials are seen at Lisbon High School early Oct. 26 as a manhunt continues for the suspect in a mass shooting that took place the day prior.
Fatih Aktas/Anadolu / Getty Images
Police officers close the road as they patrol a neighborhood after issuing a warning about an ‘active shooter’ incident, October 26, 2023.
Steven Senne / AP
People depart a reunification center early Thursday, Oct. 26 at Auburn Middle School, in Auburn, Maine, after shootings in Lewiston.
Steven Senne / AP
Law enforcement officers carry rifles outside Central Maine Medical Center during an active shooter situation, in Lewiston, Maine, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023.
Joseph Prezioso / Getty
Police presence at Schemengees Bar, one of the locations where the Lewiston mass shooting occured, on Thursday, Oct. 26.
John Tlumacki / The Boston Globe via Getty
Heavily armed police boarded armored vehicles at Lisbon High School at daybreak as they search for the mass shooter, Oct. 26.
Robert F. Bukaty / AP
Three vehicles transport bodies from Schemengees Bar and Grille, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023, in Lewiston, Maine. The restaurant was the site of one of the two mass shootings in Lewiston on Wednesday.
LEWISTON, ME – OCTOBER 27: A business display a message in Lewiston, Maine, Friday, October 27, 2023. (Photo by Salwan Georges/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
LISBON, MAINE – OCTOBER 28: In an aerial view, police vehicles are seen in the area near the Maine Recycling Center building where Robert Card, the suspect in two mass killings, was found dead on October 28, 2023 in Lisbon, Maine. Mr. Card, who had worked at the recycling center, allegedly killed 18 people in a mass shooting at a bowling alley and restaurant in Lewiston. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Getty Images
LISBON, ME – OCTOBER 27: Law enforcement members investigate at a site where a body of the suspect Robert Card is found in Lisbon, Maine, Friday, October 27, 2023. Card is believed to be the gunman who killed at least 18 people in Lewiston, Maine. (Photo by Salwan Georges/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Getty Images
LEWISTON, MAINE – OCTOBER 27: Governor Janet Mills of Maine is embraced before she announces to the media that Robert Card, the suspect in two mass killings, was found dead on October 27, 2023 in Lewiston, Maine. Mr. Card, who allegedly killed 18 people in a mass shooting at a bowling alley and restaurant in Lewiston was found dead in nearby Lisbon. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 27: A fan holds a “Lewiston Strong” sign after the game between the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat at TD Garden on October 27, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. A man gunned down 18 people with a semi-automatic rifle in a bowling alley and a bar where locals were enjoying an evening out on October 25 2023 in Lewiston, Maine. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Schroeder/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 27: The Boston Celtics players wear “Maine” shirts during the National Anthem at TD Garden on October 27, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. A man gunned down 18 people with a semi-automatic rifle in a bowling alley and a bar where locals were enjoying an evening out on October 25 2023 in Lewiston, Maine. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Schroeder/Getty Images)
Feeling out of the loop? We'll catch you up on the Chicago news you need to know. Sign up for the weekly Chicago Catch-Up newsletter.
