Maine Shootings: What We Know About 'Armed and Dangerous' Suspect, Now Wanted for Murders

Eighteen people were killed and 13 were injured during Wednesday night's mass shootings in Lewiston, Maine

Law enforcement officials investigate outside the Schemengees Bar and Grille on October 26, 2023 in Lewiston, Maine.
Schemengees Bar and Grille. Photo:

Scott Eisen/Getty Images

The suspect in Wednesday's mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, in which 18 people were killed and 13 were injured, is still at large and is considered "armed and dangerous," according to Maine Governor Janet Mills.

Robert Card, 40, is a Petroleum Supply Specialist in the U.S. Army Reserve, Army Spokesman Bryce Dubee tells PEOPLE. Eight of the fatal victims have been identified, so an arrest warrant has been issued for the suspect on eight counts of murder.

The Associated Press, citing a state police bulletin, reports the suspect had recently been committed to a mental health facility for two weeks this past summer.

According to the bulletin, the suspect had threatened to perpetrate a shooting at a military base in Saco, Maine. The bulletin also says the suspect had said he'd heard voices. 

This undated and unlocated handout image released on October 25, 2023 by the Lewiston Maine Police Department via Facebook shows Robert Card, named as an "armed and dangerous" person of interest in the deadly shootings in Lewiston, Maine
Robert Card.

Lewiston Maine Police Department/AFP via Getty Images

At a Thursday press conference, Col. William Ross of the Maine State Police encouraged people who come into contact with the suspect or anyone resembling him to call 911.

Authorities said the first call about the violence came at 6:56 p.m. reporting a shooting at Just-In-Time Recreation, a bowling alley. At 7:08 p.m., a call came in about a shooting at Schemengees Bar and Grille, about four miles away.

Seven people were killed at Just-In-Time. At Schemengees, seven people were killed inside and one was killed outside the bar. Three victims died in the hospital, say authorities.

Dr. John Alexander with Central Maine Medical Center said on Thursday that eight patients are currently in the hospital: Three are in critical condition and five are stable.

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Maine Shooting
Vehicle of interest, located in Lisbon.

Authorities said previously that they'd located a “vehicle of interest” in Lisbon — a neighboring town to Lewiston. Residents of Lisbon, as well as residents of nearby Lewiston, Auburn and Bowdoin, Maine, have been advised to shelter in place.

Lewiston police have posted numerous photos of the suspect, who appears to be holding an assault rifle, on the agency's Facebook page. Police also posted a photo of what they believe to be the suspect's car.

Lewiston has a population of about 38,500, and is the second-most populous city in the state after Portland, which sits about 35 miles to the south. It's the home of Bates College and the Dempsey Center, founded by actor Patrick Dempsey to provide support for people afflicted with ovarian cancer.

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