In a series of desperate texts and a letter sent to a Maine sheriff in September, it has been revealed that Robert R. Card II's fellow reservists had serious concerns about the severity of his mental illness, expressing fears that he might carry out a mass shooting.

The texts, sent at 2:04 a.m., were directed to Army Reserve training supervisor Kelvin L. Mote, urging him to change the passcode to the unit gate, where weapons were being stored. In one text, a reservist identified as Hodgson stated, "I believe he's going to snap and do a mass shooting."

Expressing his deep concern for Card's deteriorating mental state, Hodgson pleaded with Mote for help, stating that Card was still in possession of weapons and refused to seek or continue with any form of mental health assistance. Four separate texts were sent, with Hodgson emphasizing the need to change the gate's passcode and ensuring that people at the unit be armed if Card were to arrive.

These newly revealed documents highlight the gravity of the concerns relayed to the sheriff's department prior to Card perpetrating the worst mass shooting in New England in more than a decade. On October 25, at a bowling alley and a bar in Lewiston, Maine, Card tragically killed 18 people and wounded at least a dozen more before dying from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot.

Kelvin L. Mote, who works for the Ellsworth Police Department, immediately acted upon hearing the "threats of violence" directed towards his officer. He contacted the Sagadahoc Sheriff's Office on September 15, expressing his concerns about the situation. Mote's actions were prompted by the fact that Card, as a military-trained individual, had access to weapons.

The disturbing letter and text message, mentioned in a report sent by the Sagadahoc County Sheriff to reporters, provide a detailed account of Card's growing paranoia. According to the letter, Card, a sergeant first class, claimed to be "hearing voices calling him a pedophile" and subject to other insults.

An incident on July 15 intensified Card's suspicions as he accused his fellow reservists of hurling these insults and physically confronted one of them at a convenience store. Consequently, Card secluded himself in his motel room, refusing to engage with others. Eventually, he was involuntarily committed to Four Winds Psychiatric Hospital in New York for 14 days. However, after his release, he did not seek any further treatment, exacerbating concerns about his well-being.

The letter further reveals an incident in September where Card allegedly punched Hodgson, the same fellow reservist mentioned in the texts, after accusing him of labeling him as a pedophile. During this interaction, Card menacingly stated that he possessed guns and planned to attack the drill center in Saco, Maine, among other locations.

Mote, acknowledging Card's capabilities as a marksman, emphasized the importance of erring on the side of caution when assessing the threats made to Hodgson, as Card could potentially carry them out if he were determined to do so.

The tragic events that unfolded in October have raised questions about the handling of Card's mental health concerns and the extent of support and intervention provided. Investigations are underway to ascertain whether more could have been done to prevent this devastating mass shooting.

It is crucial that the mental well-being of individuals like Card receives adequate attention and intervention in order to minimize the risk of tragedies of this nature occurring in the future.