LEWISTON, Maine – Nearly a year after Maine’s deadliest shootings, a comprehensive report has revealed crucial missteps in preventing the tragedy that left 18 dead. This report by a special commission paints a troubling picture of missed interventions that could have potentially halted the gunman, a former U.S. Army Reserve member, before the massacre unfolded.
The 215-page report issued Tuesday scrutinizes the actions of both the Army Reserves and local law enforcement, suggesting that better psychiatric care and more decisive action concerning the gunman’s access to firearms might have altered the outcome. Robert Card, the 40-year-old shooter, carried out back-to-back massacres at a Lewiston bowling alley and bar before ending his own life on Oct. 25, 2023.
Formed by Gov. Janet Mills, the commission aimed to dissect the events and decisions that led up to the day of horror. After more than a dozen public meetings and reviewing thousands of documents, the panel found glaring lapses, particularly concerning Maine’s “yellow flag” law, which allows for the temporary seizure of weapons from individuals deemed a threat due to mental illness.
Despite having sufficient grounds as early as September 2023 to invoke this law, law enforcement did not act to remove Card’s access to guns. The report detailed how Card’s deteriorating mental health was known to his family members and Army colleagues, all of whom relayed their concerns to authorities.
Daniel Wathen, chair of the commission and a former chief justice, expressed a poignant reflection on the catastrophe while presenting the findings at Lewiston City Hall. “The chain of command within the Army Reserves missed significant opportunities that could have perhaps prevented this tragedy,” Wathen stated. Moreover, the local sheriff’s office had enough cause to believe that Card posed a substantial risk, raising questions about their inaction.
On the day of the shootings, law enforcement’s response was swift, yet chaotic. Hundreds of officers flooded the region, creating a frenzied scene as they searched for Card in the moments following the attacks.
Wathen’s letter to Gov. Mills underscored the profound impact of the event. “It’s a tragedy that touched every Mainer, upending lives and shaking the very sense of safety and tranquility that define our state,” he wrote. The report aims to provide clarity and truth to those affected and furnish lessons to help avoid future failures.
The testimony included in the hearings was heart-wrenching, with accounts from survivors, law enforcement officials, and Army personnel. Notably, Card’s sister testified, visibly shaken, her hand resting on his military helmet. “The system failed, and we must ensure it doesn’t happen again,” said Kathleen Walker, whose husband courageously attempted to stop Card and was killed in the act.
Another chilling warning had come just a month before the massacre when a fellow reservist alerted a supervisor via text message, fearing Card was close to snapping. The report criticized the Army for inadequate follow-up on Card’s psychological care after he was hospitalized during training.
Following the tragedy, Maine’s legislature took action to tighten state gun laws, which traditionally favored hunting and firearms ownership. Measures included a three-day waiting period for gun purchases, which took effect this month.
The commission, composed of veteran legal and mental health experts, including two former federal prosecutors and the state’s former chief forensic psychologist, hoped their findings could foster healing and better public policy practices.
Wrapping up nine months of intense scrutiny and emotional testimony, the commission’s report not only seeks answers but also offers a roadmap for structural changes, aiming to prevent such tragedies in the future. The memory of the Lewiston shooting lingers as a somber reminder of the importance of vigilance and proactive intervention in matters of mental health and public safety.