The AP reported that a police bulletin said Card had been identified as “a firearms instructor believed to be in the Army Reserve” who had been “committed to a mental health facility for two weeks in the summer of 2023” after reportedly “hearing voices and threats to shoot up” the military base in Saco.
At a press conference in Lewiston on Thursday morning, law enforcement said Card was wanted on eight counts of murder, with potentially 18 total counts expected as victims were identified. The shooter was still at large at the time of the conference.
At the conference, Maine Gov. Janet Mills described the massacre as “a dark day for Maine.”
“This city did not deserve this terrible assault on its citizens, on its peace of mind,” she said. “… No city does. No state. No people.”
In a statement posted to Facebook, Portland Bishop Robert Deeley said it was “heartbreaking to hear of lives lost and dozens injured and to know of the pain and grief that so many families are experiencing.”
“We pray for all those impacted by this terrible violence, that the Lord may provide them with consolation in the midst of their sorrow,” Deeley said. “In this moment of trial and uncertainty, let us raise up our prayers, asking God to give strength to them and to our community now and in the coming days, and we ask him to protect our law enforcement officers as they seek to prevent further harm.”