Staff Reports
Additional information has surfaced concerning the mass gunman from Maine, Robert Card, which provides insight into his declining mental well-being prior to the tragic incident. The Sagadahoc County Sheriff's Office has obtained text messages and emails that disclose concerning remarks made by members of Card's Army Reserve unit.
Documents Show a Plethora of Early Warning Signs About Maine Mass Shooter's Mental Healthhttps://t.co/ZvbDvDRaUI
— RedState (@RedState) November 2, 2023
As reported by Fox News, on September 15, a member of Card's unit issued a series of texts in which they warned that anyone who encounters him should be armed and stated, "I believe he is going to snap and do a mass shooting." This cautionary message was disseminated slightly more than five weeks prior to the October 25 shooting, in which Card caused the demise of eighteen individuals and the injury of thirteen others, thereby becoming the most lethal mass shooting in the history of Maine.
Additionally, letters from Card's friends and colleagues expressing concern over his swiftly deteriorating mental state were among the documents that were made public. Corporal Kelvin Mote, a police officer from Ellsworth, describes Card's aberrant behavior and paranoid episodes in one email. Mote reported that the shooter had been subjected to verbal abuse in the form of insulting accents, which included derogatory characterizations such as "pedophile."
Card's mental condition deteriorated to the point where physical altercations ensued with his fellow workers. On July 15, he lodged allegations at West Point against his comrades, alleging that they labeled him a pedophile, physically assaulted one of his most cherished companions, and threatened to redress the matter. After being discharged from the psychiatric hospital after a two-week admission, Card refrained from pursuing additional treatment.
The tragic shooting has rekindled the discourse surrounding mass shootings and gun control. Although Maine does not have red flag laws, it has implemented "yellow flag" laws that establish a procedure for the temporary seizure of firearms from hazardous individuals. As this case and numerous others in states with stricter red flag legislation have demonstrated, however, these laws have been ineffective in preventing mass massacres. These laws continue to fail to adequately address the underlying factors that contribute to such acts of violence.
The significance of placing mental health as a societal priority is underscored by this tragic incident. It is of the utmost importance to have effective solutions in place to identify and assist those with mental health issues prior to their escalation into violent actions. Preserving our Second Amendment rights is of equal importance to avoiding exclusive dependence on ineffectual gun control measures. Finding holistic resolutions that encompass responsible gun ownership and mental health is crucial for achieving the utmost equilibrium.
