AUGUSTA, Maine – An independent commission investigating the deadliest mass shooting in Maine history is preparing to listen to the emotional stories of some of the family members of the victims. On Thursday, seven family members are expected to address the panel, providing a human face to the tragedy that unfolded on October 25 when 18 people were killed and 13 were injured in Lewiston.
The commission, established by Democratic Gov. Janet Mills and state Attorney General Aaron Frey, aims to review the events leading up to the shooting to inform future policies and procedures to prevent similar tragedies. The shooter, Robert Card, was experiencing a mental health breakdown before the shooting, and despite warnings from family members and fellow reservists, no action was taken to prevent the tragedy.
The commission is chaired by Daniel Wathen, former chief justice of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, and includes former U.S. Attorney Paula Silsby and Debra Baeder, the former chief forensic psychologist for the state. The governor is not waiting for the commission to conclude its work to begin making policy changes, proposing measures to allow police to petition a judge to remove weapons from someone in a psychiatric crisis, among other changes.
The speakers at the commission hearing are expected to include survivors and family members who have been directly impacted by the tragedy, sharing their stories of loss, grief, and the impact of gun violence. The commission aims to gather a comprehensive understanding of the events leading up to the shooting and make informed recommendations for policy changes to prevent similar tragedies in the future.