Massacre in Maine: dead American shooter found near recycling center

Authorities have expressed relief over the death of Army reservist Robert Card.

A suspect in the killing of 18 people and wounding 13 in two mass shootings in Maine has been found dead, the Associated Press reports, after authorities issued arrest warrants on multiple counts of murder and put him on a massive manhunt.

Robert Card, who was wanted in connection with shootings at the Schemengees bar and Just-In-Time Recreation Bar & Grill and Bowling Alley in Lewiston, is believed to have died from a self-inflicted wound, a law enforcement official told the AP.

Card’s body was found in a forest near the city of Lisbon near a waste recycling center from which he had recently been fired, CNN reports, citing a law enforcement source.

Maine Gov. Janet Mills appeared relieved at a news conference late Friday. “I breathe a sigh of relief knowing that Robert Card is no longer a threat to anyone,” Mills said. “Tonight, the city of Lewiston and the state of Maine can begin to move forward on the long road to healing.”

Michael Saushak, the commissioner of public safety, confirmed that Card’s body was found around 7:45 pm ET on the banks of the Androscoggin River, The Guardian writes.

“Now the community can begin to heal,” Bill David said at the waste station intersection. “Lewiston will come back to life and families can now grieve.”

A day earlier, a search had been conducted at the location where Card was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound behind a dumpster. It is less than a mile from where he left his car on Wednesday evening, The Guardian notes.

Robert Card, who had a history of mental illness, was described by police as “armed and dangerous.”

Card’s car was found shortly before midnight Wednesday in Lisbon, about eight miles from the murder scene. Officials urged residents of both cities and surrounding areas to shelter in place as the manhunt, involving hundreds of law enforcement officers, continued.

“It was one of the scariest things I’ve ever experienced,” said 18-year-old Elizabeth Bean, who said the only time she and her family left the house was to buy groceries. – We didn’t want to take risks. So it was really sad.”

The search also focused on Card’s mental health history. He was taken in by police for evaluation after military officials became concerned he was acting erratically in mid-July, a U.S. official told The Associated Press.

The official told the AP that commanders of the Army Reserve’s 3rd Battalion, 304th Infantry Regiment became concerned in mid-July that Card was acting erratically while the unit was training at the military academy at West Point in New York.

The source said that the military command became concerned about Card’s safety and asked to call the police. New York State Police took Card to Keller Army Community Hospital in West Point for evaluation, the official said.