The state of Maine was left reeling after two deadly shootings in Lewiston claimed the lives of at least 18 people, shocking the community and prompting an independent commission to investigate the tragic events. The commission, comprised of attorneys, prosecutors, and mental health professionals, released its final report on the October 2023 mass shootings, shedding light on missed opportunities that could have potentially prevented the devastating loss of life.
One of the key findings of the report was that both the Army Reserve and local law enforcement failed to take necessary steps to intervene despite multiple red flags regarding the shooter, Robert Card. The commission highlighted that while Card’s actions were his own, there were several instances where authorities could have mitigated the threat he posed to the public. The report emphasized that authorities „failed to undertake necessary steps to reduce the threat he posed to the public.“
The commission’s investigation revealed that police officers in Lewiston had probable cause to enact Maine’s yellow flag law prior to the shootings. The yellow flag law allows individuals to report concerns about a gun owner’s behavior, prompting law enforcement to take action to ensure public safety. In the case of Robert Card, several individuals, including his son and former wife, had raised concerns about his behavior leading up to the shootings. Despite these warnings, local police did not utilize their power under the yellow flag law, a decision that the report deemed as a missed opportunity to prevent the tragedy.
Furthermore, the report also highlighted the failure of Army Reserve officers to fully disclose Card’s threatening behavior to local police. Despite being aware of Card’s concerning actions, including hallucinations and aggressiveness, Army Reserve officials did not notify law enforcement about the extent of his behavior. The commission pointed out that if Army Reserve officers had been more forthcoming about Card’s behavior, police may have been able to intervene more effectively.
The independent commission’s investigation culminated in the release of a 215-page final report, which was presented during a press conference at Lewiston’s city hall. Daniel Wathen, the commission’s chair and a retired Chief Justice of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, spoke on behalf of the group, emphasizing that their role was to uncover the facts of the shootings rather than make recommendations. Wathen acknowledged the difficulty of determining whether the shootings could have been prevented with proper intervention but underscored the importance of learning from the tragedy to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Overall, the findings of the independent commission shed light on the missed opportunities and failures of both the Army Reserve and local law enforcement to prevent the tragic mass shootings in Lewiston. The report serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of proactive intervention and collaboration between agencies to ensure the safety and well-being of communities.