ROBERT Card's family made several warnings about his mental state and guns months before the horrific mass shooting that killed 18 people.
The Sagadahoc County Sheriff's Office released a statement days after Card, 40,was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
"The tragedy in Lewiston has shaken our community, our state, and our country," it read.
"We would like to offer our deepest sympathies for the lives that were lost, the people who were hurt, and for the families and friends who have been forever affected."
The statement revealed that Card's family reached out to the sheriff's office on May 3 of this year, warning that Card's mental health had been declining since January.
The family had been concerned for his well-being, especially since he had access to weapons.
After speaking with the family, the sheriff's office reached out to the 3rd Battalion Training Group to connect them with Card's family, assuring that Card would receive medical attention.
Deputies visited Card's home on September 15 for a wellness check but he wasn't home.
A File 6 – an alert issued by police when trying to locate a person – was sent out in an attempt to find Card, warning that he was "known to be armed and dangerous."
A deputy returned to the home on September 16 and saw that Card's vehicle was there but, after knocking on the door several times, nobody answered.
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"The Sagadahoc County deputy then made contact with Mr. Card's unit commander, who said that Mr. Card no longer had any weapons from the reserve unit," the statement read.
"His unit commander advised they were trying to get treatment for Mr. Card and that he thought it best to let Card have time to himself."
On September 17, the deputy contacted Card's brother, who said he would try to secure any weapons Card would have access to.
The deputy asked that the family call them back if they believed Card needed an evaluation or became a risk to himself or others.
The File 6 alert was canceled on October 18 – days before Card opened fire at the Just-in-Time Recreation bowling alley and Schemengees Bar & Grille Restaurant.
"We believe that our agency acted appropriately and followed procedures for conducting an attempt to locate and wellness check."
MANHUNT ENDS
Card's body was found by Maine State Police at 7:45 pm on Friday evening after a 48-hour manhunt.
He left a note to a loved one with the password to his cell phone and his bank account information, Maine Commissioner of Public Safety Michael Sauschuck confirmed on Saturday.
Sauschuck said the "tone and tenor" was that Card knew he was not going to be around.
"That's not uncommon in suicide situations," Sauschuck said.
He also confirmed that Card's body was found in a trailer at Maine Recycling in Lisbon, however, it's unclear when he died.
Card appeared to be wearing the same clothes he was pictured in while allegedly wielding an AR-15-style rifle.
Sauschuck also confirmed that two firearms were found along with the body – in addition to the long gun found in Card's white Subaru – and that Card appeared to have died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
A motive remains unknown, though Sauschuck did say: "I think clearly there's a mental health component to this."
It was previously reported that Card may have been committed to a mental health facility over the summer.
However, Sauschuck said there is no evidence to support that claim.
"We have not seen to this point that Mr. Card was forcibly committed for treatment," Sauschuck said.
In total, 18 people have died and 13 more were wounded between both locations.
The 18 victims have now been identified as Peyton Brewer-Ross, 39; Ronald G. Morin, 55; Tommy Conrad, 34; Michael Deslauriers II, 51; Bryan MacFarlane, 41; Arthur Fred Strout, 42; Joseph "Joey" Walker, 57; Joshua Seal, 36; Tricia Asselin, 53; Maxx Hathaway, 35; William and Aaron Young, 44 and 14, respectively, Robert "Bob" Violette and his wife Lucy, 76 and 73 respectively; Jason Adam Walker, 51; Keith D. Macneir, 64; William Frank Brackett, 48; and Stephen M. Vozzella, 45.
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Sauschuck said on Saturday that three of the injured remain in critical condition.
Evidence from both of the shooting sites as well as the scene where Card's body was found is still being processed, Sauschuck said.
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