The independent commission’s final report on the tragic mass shootings in Lewiston, Maine, last year revealed missed opportunities by Army Reserve and law enforcement officials that could have potentially prevented the devastating events. The report, released by a commission formed by Maine Gov. Janet Mills, highlighted the failure of authorities to take necessary steps to reduce the threat posed by the shooter, Robert Card. While acknowledging that Card’s actions were his own, the commission emphasized that his Army reserve unit and local law enforcement missed crucial opportunities to intervene after concerns about Card’s behavior were raised.
Daniel Wathen, a retired Chief Justice of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court and the commission’s chair, spoke on behalf of the group during a news conference, stating that the commission’s role was to investigate the facts of the shootings, not to make recommendations. The report underscored that it is impossible to know for certain whether the shootings could have been prevented if officials had intervened appropriately. However, it pointed out that authorities failed to undertake necessary steps to address the threat posed by Card to the public.
One key recommendation from the commission was that police officers should have utilized Maine’s yellow flag law to seize Card’s firearms. Maine’s yellow flag law allows individuals to report gun owners they suspect are a threat, prompting law enforcement to evaluate the situation and potentially seize firearms. The report noted that several people who knew Card, including his son and former wife, had raised concerns about his behavior prior to the shooting, indicating that local police officers had reason to take action under the yellow flag law.
Moreover, the report highlighted the failure of Army Reserve officers to inform local police about all of Card’s threatening behavior. Despite being aware of Card’s concerning actions, including hallucinations and aggressiveness, Army Reserve officials did not fully disclose this information to law enforcement. The commission emphasized that if Army Reserve officers had provided a comprehensive account of Card’s behavior, police may have been able to intervene more effectively.
The tragic events in Lewiston unfolded on October 25, when Card, a 40-year-old Army reservist, carried out a deadly shooting at a bar and bowling alley, resulting in the deaths of 18 people and injuries to 13 others. Following an intense manhunt, authorities discovered Card dead of a gunshot wound days later. A post-mortem analysis of Card’s brain revealed significant evidence of traumatic brain injuries at the time of the shootings, although there was no indication of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain disease often associated with repetitive head trauma.
In conclusion, the independent commission’s final report shed light on the missed opportunities and failures of Army Reserve and law enforcement officials to prevent the tragic mass shootings in Lewiston, Maine. The report underscored the importance of proactive intervention and the utilization of existing laws and protocols to address threats to public safety. Moving forward, it is crucial for authorities to learn from these findings and take necessary steps to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
