Maine

Fellow reservist warned of mass shooting before gunman's attack in Maine

Published

2 years ago

April 28, 2024

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Fellow reservist warned of mass shooting before gunman's attack in Maine

Local News

An Army reservist and friend of the gunman behind Maine’s deadliest mass shooting testified Thursday about his friend’s mental decline, describing publicly for the first time the warning he issued a month before the tragedy unfolded.

Rain soaked memorials for those who died in a mass shooting sit along the roadside by Schemengees Bar & Grille, Oct. 30, 2023, in Lewiston, Maine. AP Photo/Matt York, File

By DAVID SHARP and PATRICK WHITTLE, Associated Press

April 28, 2024 | 4:31 PM

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — An Army reservist and friend of the gunman behind Maine’s deadliest mass shooting testified Thursday about his friend’s mental decline, describing publicly for the first time the warning he issued a month before the tragedy unfolded.

Sean Hodgson texted leaders of his reserve unit six weeks before the shooting that left 18 people dead and 13 wounded, telling them to change the passcode to the gate at their Army Reserve training facility and arm themselves if Robert Card showed up.

Hodgson told a panel investigating the mass shooting on Thursday that he issued the warning to superiors after Card’s delusional and violent behavior spiraled and ended with Card punching him in the face.

“I said ‘Just so you know, I love you. I’ll always be there for you. I won’t give up on you.’ He had that blank stare on his face. It was a dead stare and he drove away,” Hodgson recounted as his friend left him at a gas station.

The attacks happened six months ago, on Oct. 25, when Card opened fire at a bowling alley and a bar in Lewiston, two locations where he held a delusional belief that people were talking about him behind his back. Two days later, the 40-year-old Reservist was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Hodgson told superiors on Sept. 15: “I believe he’s going to snap and do a mass shooting.”

But it wasn’t just Hodgson who was worried about Card. Several other reservists witnessed his deterioration during training last summer. That led to a two-week hospitalization in July for Card, months after relatives warned police he had grown paranoid and that they were concerned about his access to guns.

The failure of authorities to remove Card’s weapons in the weeks before the shooting has become the subject of a monthslong investigation in the state, which also has passed new gun safety laws since the tragedy.

In an interim report released last month, an independent commission launched by Gov. Janet Mills concluded that the Sagadahoc County sheriff’s office had probable cause under Maine’s “yellow flag” law to take Card into custody and seize his guns. It also criticized police for not following up with Hodgson about his warning text. A final report is expected this summer.

On Thursday, Hodgson said he warned of a mass shooting because Card threatened multiple members of the unit with violence and that his threats and delusions were escalating. And he had access to guns.

“The way he was behaving was very threatening. It was escalating. The totality of the circumstances, the events leading to that moment, I was pretty convinced he was going to cause harm,” he said.

Another reservist, Daryl Reed, testified he witnessed Card’s mental and physical decline firsthand, seeing a “normal guy” who successfully traded stocks and loved hunting and the outdoors become increasingly paranoid and believing others were calling him a pedophile.

Card also acquired a thermal scope with a laser range finder that he said cost $10,000, and he demonstrated how it could be used to detect animals, including at night, Reed said.

He added fellow reservists started to become concerned Card could become a danger to colleagues. They were surprised, several testified, when Card was released from a psychiatric hospital after only two weeks.

In an exclusive series of interviews in January, Hodgson told The Associated Press he met Card in the Army Reserve in 2006 and that they became close friends after both divorced their spouses around the same time. They lived together for about a month in 2022, and when Card was hospitalized in New York in July, Hodgson drove him back to Maine.

Growing increasingly worried about his friend’s mental health, Hodgson warned authorities after Card started “flipping out” after a night of gambling, pounding the steering wheel and nearly crashing multiple times. After ignoring his pleas to pull over, Card punched him in the face, Hodgson said.

“It took me a lot to report somebody I love,” he said. “But when the hair starts standing up on the back of your neck, you have to listen.”

Some officials downplayed Hodgson’s warning, suggesting he might have been drunk because of the late hour of his text. Army Reserve Capt. Jeremy Reamer, the commanding officer of the reserve unit, described him as “not the most credible of our soldiers” and said his message should be taken “with a grain of salt.”

Hodgson said he struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder and alcohol addiction but said he wasn’t drinking that night and was awake because he works nights and was waiting for his boss to call.

“I grieve every day for the many lives that are lost for no reason and those that are still affected today,” he told the AP earlier this month.

Cara Cookson, director of victim services for the Maine Office of the Attorney General, also testified Thursday and described through tears the daunting task of responding to the enormity of the tragedy with a “patchwork of resources.”

On Thursday evening, the Maine Resiliency Center, which provides support to people affected by the killings, held a six-month commemoration event that drew several hundred people to a park in Lewiston.

The names of the 18 people who died were read aloud at the start of the ceremony, and there were 18 empty chairs, each with a candle and a blue heart, honoring the victims.

The governor also acknowledged the anniversary.

“Our hearts are still healing, and the road to healing is long, but we will continue to walk it together,” Mills said in a statement.

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Maine

Maine Lottery results: See winning numbers for Mega Millions, Pick 3 on Dec. 12, 2025

Published

21 minutes ago

December 13, 2025

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The Maine Lottery offers several games for those aiming to win big.

You can pick from national lottery games, like the Powerball and Mega Millions, or a variety of local and regional games, like the Pick 3, Pick 4 and Gimme 5.

While your odds of winning a big jackpot in the Powerball or Mega Millions are generally pretty slim (here’s how they compare to being struck by lightning or dealt a royal flush), other games offer better odds to win cash, albeit with lower prize amounts.

Here’s a look at Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from Dec. 12 drawing

10-50-55-58-59, Mega Ball: 05

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Dec. 12 drawing

Day: 7-8-7

Evening: 2-2-6

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Dec. 12 drawing

Day: 4-2-5-7

Evening: 7-7-0-7

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 12 drawing

06-20-23-30-36, Lucky Ball: 11

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Gimme 5 numbers from Dec. 12 drawing

09-11-12-30-37

Check Gimme 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Maine Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3, 4: 1:10 p.m. (Day) and 6:50 p.m. (Evening) ET daily.
Lucky For Life: 10:38 p.m. ET daily.
Lotto America: 10:15 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Gimme 5: 6:59 p.m. ET on Monday through Friday.
Cash Pop: 8:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. & 11:30 p.m. ET daily.

Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a USA Today editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Maine

Citizen’s initiative wants to roll back recreational cannabis use in Maine

Published

12 hours ago

December 12, 2025

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Citizen’s initiative wants to roll back recreational cannabis use in Maine

A new citizen’s initiative is looking to roll back recreational cannabis use in Maine. Maine has allowed for prescribing and limited possession of medical marijuana since 1999, and a successful 2009 referendum established licensed and regulated medical dispensaries. Then, in 2016, Maine voters approved recreational use, retail sale and taxation of cannabis, which the state […]

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Maine

Maine Commission releases first recommendations to combat growing deed fraud threat

Published

1 day ago

December 12, 2025

Press Room

Maine Commission releases first recommendations to combat growing deed fraud threat

PORTLAND (WGME) — Maine has spent the past two years grappling with a rise in deed fraud schemes.

The CBS13 I-Team first began investigating after an elderly man didn’t receive his tax bill and learned someone had transferred his property without his knowledge.

Since then, multiple landowners have come forward saying something similar almost happened to them. Our reporting has uncovered for-sale signs posted on land, fake driver’s licenses and signed agreements to transfer deeds; all tied to scam attempts.

Maine has spent the past two years grappling with a rise in deed fraud schemes. (The Nathanson family)

The growing pattern prompted a state commission to issue new recommendations aimed at stopping the fraud.

Landowners say scam nearly cost them their property

Two summers ago, Cheryl and Ralph Nathanson learned their land on Little Sebago Lake had been put up for sale online.

“We could have lost our property,” Cheryl Nathanson said.

The Nathansons, who live in Connecticut, were stunned when they discovered a fraudulent listing for their Maine plot.

“We notified the police and they said they can take a report on it but that there’s nothing they could really do,” Ralph Nathanson said.

Police told them it was a classic case of deed fraud: scammers posing as property owners, listing land they don’t own and disappearing with the cash.

The couple was advised to sign up for property alerts through the Cumberland County Registry of Deeds, but quickly learned those alerts offered little protection.

“You can register for the deed fraud but it only informs you, by email, after the deed has been transferred. So it’s basically worthless,” Ralph Nathanson said.

A realtor lists their property…. Again

The following summer, the Nathansons discovered a real estate sign had been placed on their land.

“I was notified by a neighbor that there was a for-sale sign, a realtor for-sale sign, on our land,” Ralph Nathanson said.

A realtor from Old Orchard Beach had unknowingly entered into an agreement with someone impersonating the couple.

“Some of the information was correct, some of it wasn’t. You can get anything off of Google,” Cheryl Nathanson said.

Ralph Nathanson remembers confronting the agent.

“You are selling my property and I’m not selling the property,” Ralph Nathanson said. “The phone went silent.”

Despite the ordeal, the couple believes they were lucky to have seen the sign, knowing how bad these schemes can get.

State commission concludes work on deed fraud

“Currently, you all might be landowners and your land might be at risk, and you might not know right now that somebody has sold your land,” Jane Towle with the Real Estate Commission said, during the final meeting of the Deed Fraud Commission.

This fall, a state commission of stakeholders convened to examine ways to prevent deed fraud in Maine.

The Nathansons urged the commission to go beyond awareness campaigns.

CBS13 I-Team Reporter Stephanie Grindley: “You think the state should act beyond just awareness?”

Cheryl Nathanson: “100%.”

Ralph Nathanson: “Absolutely. I think the state of Maine has a responsibility to protect landowners.

But not everyone in the meeting agreed on the scope of the problem.

Attorney General calls deed fraud a low-priority scam

In the final meeting, Attorney General Aaron Frey remained staunch in his skepticism, saying complaints of deed fraud are still relatively rare.

“What we’re seeing for people getting hurt and losing money, this would probably not be the thing I want to highlight over other scams that are happening right now that are actually costing people their retirement savings,” Frey said.

Sen. Henry Ingwersen of York, who spearheaded the commission, sat down with the I-Team following the final meeting.

Grindley: “During the meeting, I did hear the Attorney General essentially call this a non-issue. His office isn’t getting complaints. He doesn’t see a bunch of consumers loosing money to this. Has that changed your stance?”

Ingwersen: “We’ve had three that have really been highlighted just in southern Maine. We haven’t heard a lot from around the rest of the state, but there has been some, so I think that even though it’s rare, we really need to address it.”

“I was pleased that we did come up with a couple of recommendations that we’re going to put in the report,” Ingwersen said.

Key Recommendation: Verify the seller’s identity

The first area of agreement among most, not all, stakeholders would legally require listing agents to verify a seller’s identity.

“The way it is now, it’s best practice. And a lot of professionals are doing best practice,” Ingwersen said. “The red flags in deed fraud are cash sale, land only, a quick sale at below-market value If we had realtors really paying attention to those red flags but also a policy that would require them to check the identity of the fraudulent seller, or of the seller, thoroughly, I think it would prevent, even if it prevented one instance of deed fraud, I think it would be very helpful.”

The commission did not outline exactly how identification should be verified.

“We didn’t really specify what that identification process was going to be. We’re leaving that up to rule making,” Ingwersen said.

Second Recommendation: Easier path to undo a fraudulent deed

Currently, the only way to reverse a fraudulent deed in Maine is to go to court.

The commission proposes allowing an attorney to file an affidavit with the registry.

“Allow an attorney to file an affidavit with the deed recorder that would allow the deed to be, the fraudulent deed, to be nullified in a way that is a little bit quicker than we currently have,” Ingwersen said.

The recommendations will now head to the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee. Any legislative change likely wouldn’t take effect until 2027, if the proposals make it into a bill and then survive a vote.

“I think we made some good progress, but I don’t think this is going to go away. I think this will continue,” Ingwersen said.

Landowners fear fraud will try until it succeeds

“We were thinking, do we take a loan out on it just to secure it?” Ralph Nathanson said.

As the legislative process begins, the Nathansons say Maine cannot wait. They fear it’s only a matter of time before a sale of their land goes through.

“To lose land like this or to find out that their land is now gone, I just can’t imagine that,” Ralph Nathanson said.

Ideas Left on the Table: Title Freeze and National Guidance

Several proposals failed to gain traction, including a “title freeze.” a concept similar to a credit freeze that would allow a landowner to lock their deed from unauthorized transfers. Maine could have been the first state to pilot it, but members said they lacked enough information.

Instead, they pointed to national group studying deed fraud. The Uniform Law Commission is drafting model legislation that states, including Maine, could adopt to better protect landowners.

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