Police took Army reservist suspected in Maine killings for evaluation after erratic behaviour in July

A U.S. Army reservist suspected of killing at least 18 people in Maine had been taken by police for an evaluation after military officials became concerned that he was acting erratically in mid-July, a U.S. official told The Associated Press.

A U.S. Army reservist suspected of killing at least 18 people in Maine had been taken by police for an evaluation after military officials became concerned that he was acting erratically in mid-July, a U.S. official told The Associated Press.

The official said commanders in the Army Reserve's 3rd Battalion, 304th Infantry Regiment became concerned in mid-July that Robert Card was acting erratically while the unit was training at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in New York.

The official said military commanders became concerned about Card's safety and asked for the police to be called. New York state police took Card to the Keller Army Community Hospital at West Point for evaluation, the official said.

The official was not authorized to publicly discuss information about the incident and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

Associated Press writer Lolita Baldor in Washington contributed to this report.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP's earlier story follows below.

Authorities carried out a massive search Thursday for a man who they say killed 18 people and wounded 13 at a bowling alley and bar in Maine that sent panicked patrons hiding under tables and behind bowling pins and gripped the entire state in fear.