A multistate manhunt is ongoing for the Army reservist who officials say shot and killed 18 people at a bowling alley and bar in Lewiston, Maine.
Hundreds of law enforcement officers are entering the third day of a search for 40-year-old Robert Card after his family said his mental health had declined rapidly and police consider him armed and dangerous given his military background.
“He was picking up voices that he had never heard,” Card’s sister-in-law told NBC News. “His mind was twisting them around. He was humiliated by the things that he thought were being said.”
Residents in Lewiston, Maine’s second-largest city that is about 30 miles north of Portland, have been advised by police to shelter in place amid the ongoing search for Card. Schools have remained closed since the shooting occurred on Wednesday.
Friday saw dive teams enter a nearby river after suspicion that Card may have killed himself and his body is in the river. The search will begin near the Lisbon boat launch where Card’s white Subaru was found.
Officials confirmed Friday morning that a note was found during the search but declined to reveal the contents.
“We clearly don’t have him located at this point. We don’t have him in custody. So all of those options are on the table. We certainly don’t want to wait too long because the river is a big piece of this,” Maine’s Department of Public Safety spokesperson Michael Sauschuck said.
“The car was located there. Evidence was located in the vehicle right along the shores of the Androscoggin River. So that’s stuff we want to make sure we’re checking,” he added.
Law enforcement will search using sonar technology to look for shadows or movement, and officers will search the land.
18 people were killed and 50 were injured Wednesday when Card opened fire in two different locations; a bowling alley and a restaurant.
