Maine Police Alerted About Threats from Gunman Weeks Before Shootings

Maine law enforcement agencies were alerted last month about threats made by U.S. Army reservist Robert Card against his military base, but were unable to locate him. Card was later found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. The shooting rampage that followed resulted in the deaths of 18 people and raised concerns about Maine's gun safety laws and the prevention of such incidents. Card had a history of mental illness and had been taken for evaluation in mid-July after making threats to his military unit. Several firearms were recovered, all of which were legally purchased. Maine's "yellow flag" law did not apply to Card, allowing him to retain access to firearms. Maine residents gathered at churches to pray and support each other in the wake of the shooting.