Lewiston, Maine — A state commission heard testimony on Monday from a high-ranking Army Reserves officer about the challenges military officials face in managing reservists’ mental health, in the wake of Maine’s deadliest mass shooting perpetrated by a reservist. The event, which claimed 18 lives across a local bowling alley and a bar and grill on Oct. 25, has sparked a rigorous investigation into military and law enforcement responses to signs of the gunman’s deteriorating mental condition.
Lt. Col. Ryan Vazquez, a battalion commander overseeing more than 200 reservists, detailed to the commission the limitations in enforcing adherence to mental health treatments for reservists like Robert Card, the gunman, when they are not on active military duty. Vazquez’s insights come amid growing concerns over the management of reservists’ mental health and their access to firearms.
During his testimony, Vazquez explained that despite Card’s past hospitalization for mental health issues, there was no existing protocol that allowed the Army Reserves to confiscate his civilian weapons or to ensure he remained in treatment while in civilian life. The absence of strict controls over reservists’ weapons in civilian settings stood out as a critical issue, reflecting broader systemic challenges faced by military superiors.
The hearing, initiated by a commission formed by Democratic Gov. Janet Mills, seeks to shed light on the series of failures that culminated in the mass shooting. The commission, which included former U.S. Attorney for the District of Maine Paula Silsby among its members, has already pointed out during earlier sessions that law enforcement could have intervened more decisively, including seizing Card’s firearms weeks before the massacre.
Contributions to the commission’s understanding also came from fellow reservists, who noted they had observed a significant deterioration in Card’s mental health. This included a chilling warning from reservist Sean Hodgson who, a month prior to the shooting, had expressed concerns to his superiors about Card’s potential for violent behavior.
Yet, despite these warnings, Card’s commanding officers faced significant hurdles. Vazquez admitted to the commission that he felt out of his depth in predicting and managing Card’s potential for violence, saying, “If they’re not compliant with treatment, I do not have a lot of tools in my toolbox.”
An interim report by the commission criticized the lack of action when Card skipped mandated counselor sessions and questioned why there was no verification process to ensure his family had removed his access to guns.
The commission, which continues to delve into these complex issues, has held several public sessions involving police, Army officials, victims’ family members, survivors, and other stakeholders. These discussions aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of how such a tragic event was allowed to unfold.
Adding perspective on health care disparities, an Army health official highlighted last week that reservists often face more limitations in their health care coverage compared to their full-time counterparts, a disparity that may affect their mental health management.
Looking ahead, the Lewiston commission is anticipated to release a full report this summer, which could lead to significant changes in how reservists are managed on the home front. Meanwhile, the Army Reserves and the Army Inspector General are conducting their own reviews, with findings expected to be published early this summer, though Vazquez mentioned he was not privy to the precise release dates.
As the community of Lewiston continues to mourn and seek answers, the outcomes of these multiple investigations will be crucial in shaping future policies to prevent such tragedies from recurring.