Maine shooter thought local businesses attacked in shooting were spreading ‘pedophile’ rumors about him: Docs

Maine shooter thought local businesses attacked in shooting were spreading ‘pedophile’ rumors about him: Docs

Maine law enforcement officers wrote in an affidavit released Tuesday that Robert Card believed local businesses, including the ones he allegedly attacked, were involved in spreading a rumor online that he was a pedophile.

Card, who was found dead on Friday night, was accused of killing 18 people and injuring another 13 after opening fire at the Schemengees Bar and Grille and Just In Time bowling alley in Lewiston, Maine, on Oct. 25.

Card was found dead near a dumpster at a recycling plant in Libson Falls, Maine, where he worked at one point. Officials said he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The Maine Department of Public Safety on Wednesday released a trove of documents related to its manhunt and investigation into Card, such as search warrants, affidavits, criminal records and more.

MAINE MASS SHOOTING SUSPECT’S FAMILY ‘VERY COOPERATIVE’ IN MANHUNT THAT DISCOVERED HIS BODY: POLICE

Robert Card is pictured

Robert Card, the suspect in Wednesday’s mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine on Wednesday, October 25, 2023.  (Maine Department of Public Safety)

One affidavit reveals one of Card’s brothers told police that the eventual mass shooting suspect thought there was a “conspiracy” involving people “accusing him of being a pedophile.”

Card, according to his brother, believed that some businesses were spreading rumors of him being a pedophile online. Among the businesses listed are Schemengees Bar and Grille and Just In Time bowling alley, where the shootings took place.

Card also believed that some family members were involved in the conspiracy, according to his brother.

Robert Card Lewiston mass shooting suspect

An undated image from Robert Card’s Facebook account showing him in a blue t-shirt against a beige background. (Robert Card/Facebook)

His brother said Card met his ex-girlfriend during a cornhole competition at Schemengees Bar and Grille. After Card’s ex-girlfriend ended the relationship, the family member said that his brother began “wearing hearing aids and had been saying crazy things.”

Since the breakup, Card also “had significant weight loss, has been hospitalized for mental health issues and stopped taking prescribed medication,” his brother told police.

MAINE MASS SHOOTING SUSPECT ROBERT CARD FOUND DEAD WITH APPARENT SELF-INFLICTED GUNSHOT WOUND

View of the entrance to the recycling center where Lewiston shooter, Richard Card was found dead tonight

Signage at Lisbon Public Works transfer station in Lisbon, Maine, Friday, October 27, 2023. Robert Card, the suspect in the mass shootings of Wednesday night was found dead here with an apparent self-inflicted gun-shot wound. (David McGlynn for Fox News Digital)

Army Spokesperson  Bryce Dubee told Fox News that Card was a member of the Army Reserve.

Dubee also said that Card was transported to a military medical treatment facility in West Point, New York on July 15 and didn’t participate in an annual training.

The Army determined that Card shouldn’t have a weapon while on military duty on Aug. 3, and the Army declared him to be non-deployable.

Dubee said Card didn’t report to battle assembly in September or October, reportedly telling his unit that he had work conflicts.

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Police continue to search for Robert Card in Bowdoin, Maine

Police continue to search for Robert Card in Bowdoin, Maine on Thursday, October 26, 2023. Card allegedly killed 18 people and injured 13 others in two mass shooting locations on Wednesday night. (Michael Ruiz/Fox News Digital)

On Sept. 15, Card’s unit requested a health and welfare check because they were “concerned for his well-being,” Dubee said.

Fox News’ Molly Line contributed to this report.