Maine Mass Shooter’s Body Found in Industrial Tractor Trailer after Previous Clearances
By Will Potter for Dailymail.com
Lewis Pennock in Lisbon, Maine for Dailymail.com
The body of Robert Card, the Army reservist responsible for the deadly mass shooting in Maine, was discovered in the back of an industrial tractor trailer, an area that investigators had previously cleared twice. Card, aged 40, killed 18 people and injured 13 others during the shooting spree at a bowling alley and bar. His body was found near a recycling plant he was recently fired from, just a short distance from where his vehicle was initially located.
Maine’s public safety commissioner, Mike Sauschuck, revealed during a press conference that the manhunt had thoroughly searched the plant twice before eventually being directed back to the area by the factory’s manager. The body was found in an overflow parking lot containing approximately 60 trailers, which officials were previously unaware of. Sauschuck mentioned that Card’s body was discovered alongside two firearms and he appeared to be wearing the same sweatshirt seen in surveillance images during the shooting.
Investigations into Card’s motive for the massacre have centered around his history of mental illness, as he had previously reported hearing voices. However, Sauschuck downplayed this as the primary cause, stating that many law enforcement officers with mental health diagnoses were not a danger to the community. He emphasized that the vast majority of individuals with mental health issues are not violent.
During the manhunt, authorities received 821 tips from the public, highlighting the fear and concern within the community. Sauschuck acknowledged criticisms of how the manhunt unfolded and stated that he would be questioning its handling for the rest of his life.
The incident has refueled debates around gun control in Maine. Sauschuck mentioned that Card had passed background checks despite the state’s relatively lenient gun control laws. The tragedy has prompted calls for stricter regulations and measures to prevent future gun violence.
As the investigation continues, officials are preparing to open mental health and trauma centers in the area to support those affected by the incident. The focus is not only on individuals directly impacted but also on the broader community’s well-being after experiencing such a traumatic event.
The news of Card’s death brought relief to the community and lifted various shelter-in-place orders. President Joe Biden released a statement expressing condolences, calling for action to end the gun violence epidemic, and praising the efforts of law enforcement officers who worked tirelessly to apprehend the suspect.
The aftermath of the Maine mass shooting serves as a somber reminder of the devastating impact of gun violence and the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address this issue in American society.