The final report released by a special commission investigating the deadliest shootings in Maine history revealed missed opportunities by both the Army Reserve and police to intervene in a gunman’s psychiatric crisis. The report highlighted the failure of law enforcement officers to use the state’s yellow flag law to seize reservist Robert Card’s guns and put him in protective custody before the shootings occurred. Additionally, the Army Reserve was criticized for not doing more to address Card’s mental health issues and handle his weapons.
The 215-page report also pointed out that no one utilized New York’s red flag law to initiate steps to seize the gunman’s weapons when he was hospitalized last summer, despite the law being used on non-New York residents in the past. Governor Janet Mills emphasized the importance of understanding the facts and circumstances surrounding the tragedy in Lewiston to aid in the healing process for the community.
Family members and survivors of the shooting expressed their desire for accountability for those who failed to act to prevent the shootings. The lawyer representing the families of the victims described the incident as a dangerous combination of gun ownership and mental illness, exacerbated by the lack of intervention outlined in the report.
The commission, chaired by Daniel Wathen, a former chief justice of Maine’s highest court, commended the swift response by police to the shootings but noted the chaos that ensued as law enforcement officers searched for the gunman. The only recommendation made by the commission was for state police to conduct an after-action review to learn from the incident and prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The report detailed Card’s history of delusional and paranoid behavior leading up to the shootings, including a warning from a fellow reservist that he believed Card was capable of a mass shooting. Despite being hospitalized at a psychiatric facility in New York, where he acknowledged having a „hit list,“ Card was discharged after 19 days due to his perceived stabilization and progress.
Army officials conducted their own investigation after the shootings, resulting in disciplinary action against three Army Reserve leaders for dereliction of duty. The report highlighted missed opportunities by the Army Reserve to address Card’s mental health issues and ensure he was compliant with his medication and follow-up care.
In response to the shootings, Maine’s Legislature passed new gun laws, including a three-day waiting period for gun purchases. The commission, comprised of former federal prosecutors, judges, and mental health professionals, aimed to provide a comprehensive analysis of the events leading up to the tragedy and make recommendations to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Overall, the report shed light on the failures of both the Army Reserve and law enforcement to intervene in Card’s escalating crisis, underscoring the importance of proactive measures to address mental health issues and prevent gun violence. The findings of the commission serve as a call to action for improved coordination and communication among agencies to protect public safety and prevent future tragedies.