The United States Army, fearful that a psychological breakdown of a reservist could lead to tragic consequences, had admonished local law enforcement to remain attentive to the individual’s activities, in an outcry of foreboding alarm. The reservist, known as Robert Card, was suspected of being capable of orchestrating a mass shooting; weeks later, the frightening prediction materialized into a deadly reality.
Robert Card, who was under the vigilant eye of the Sagadahoc and Kennebec County Sheriff’s Offices, went on to exploit the fragility of life, embarking on a murderous spree that took 18 lives at a bowling alley and a bar in Lewiston, Maine. This senseless act occurred less than six weeks after the initial alarm was raised.
A sergeant from Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office recounts the details surrounding his welfare check attempt on Robert Card. It was a common occurrence for Card to approach his trailer door with a concealed handgun when someone was knocking. Information from this report was supplied by both the Army and the shooter’s family, reflecting their concern over Card’s gradually declining state.
In a disheartening manifestation of this fear, a soldier expressed serious reservations that Card was on the brink of “snapping and committing a mass shooting.” This was not idle talk, as Card soon launched into two lethal shooting rampages in Lewiston, Maine. Initiating his deadly assault at Just-in-Time Recreation and later at Schemengees Bar & Grille, his violent rampage induced a state of panic, dread, and strict lockdown that lasted 48 grueling hours. He was eventually found deceased due to an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The shocking tragedy unveils concerning lapses in the actions taken to neutralize the threat despite clear warning signs. A significant factor that comes into scrutiny involves Maine’s “yellow flag” law. According to this law, anyone suspected of being a danger to himself or others can be taken into custody, evaluated by a medical professional, and deprived of firearms temporarily pending a judicial approval.
In this case, however, it remains unclear if any proactive measures were taken in respect to Card’s access to weapons, even though a missing person’s report seems to have been triggered. The Sagadahoc sergeant received a response on October 1, indicating that the case was closed – a grave error that was realized 24 days later when the horrifying massacres took place.
The tragedy became all the more disturbing when information from a welfare check report cited a chilling incident linked to the man. The report mentioned that he had previously joked about initiating a mass shooting at a military facility in Saco. Although this prompted an increase in patrols, he never showed up at the facility.
In July, the Army Reserve raised an alert of a potential threat, and it was later discovered that Card had already purchased the weapons used in the killings. On September 16, when officers made an attempt to contact Card, they were made aware of his mental health problems and possession of firearms.
Despite the earlier apprehensions, Card retained access to his weapons. His unit commander believed it would be best to give him some space. Meanwhile, his brother and father promised to ensure he did not have access to firearms, but tragically, their endeavor was not successful.
On October 27, the fear that had simmered for weeks reached boiling point. The Army reservist entered a local bowling alley and opened fire, taking the lives of innocent civilians including a young boy and contestants in a tournament for the deaf. His spree continued at a bar where, among others, he killed the manager who attempted to stop him.
In conclusion, though corrective measures were taken in adherence to existing statutes, they were not sufficient to pave way for preventive action. This incident serves as a harrowing testament to the urgent need for reforms in the regulatory framework dealing with potential threats to public safety.
Masquerading the grim reality under a facade of normalcy, Robert Card’s case exists as an alarming reminder. His journey from a troubled individual to a dangerous assailant exposes lapses in system checks and triggers, unfit for a society where safety and security should be paramount. The narrative unravels a critical need for efficient and proactive security measures, capable of diffusing threats before they escalate to a tragic climax.
Note: This article contains corrections about Robert Card’s military status and accurately identifies who asked the authorities to check on the Army reservist.
