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 was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Lewiston shooter Robert Card was on the police’s radar months before the massacre that killed 18
Several wellness checks were attempted at Card’s home after his family said his mental well-being was decliningGetty
“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.
“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.”
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