Maine Shooter’s Weapons Intervention Opportunities Missed by Army and Police
In a shocking turn of events, a state inquiry has revealed that the US Army Reserve and Maine law enforcement missed multiple occasions to intervene in the case of Robert Card, the man responsible for the deadly shootings in Maine on 25th October 2023. The independent commission released its final report on the matter, uncovering that local Army and Police officials knew of Card’s mental health decline but did not appropriately act on the knowledge.
Ignoring Warning Signs
In the devastating strike, Card, a 40-year-old US Army reservist and former hand grenade instructor, opened fire at a bowling alley and a bar in Lewiston. The attack resulted in 18 fatalities, making it the deadliest shooting event in Maine’s history. According to the report, several warnings about Card’s deteriorating mental state were notably ignored, and no action was taken to remove his weaponry.
A Tragic Manhunt
The Lewiston shooting spree set off a three-day nationwide manhunt for Card. He was finally discovered dead, but the tragedy left an irreversible mark on state residents. The commission chairman, former Maine Chief Justice Daniel Wathen, reflected upon the missed opportunities in a statement. “We will never know if [Card] might still have committed the mass shooting even if someone had managed to remove his firearms before October 25,” shared Wathen. He added, “But the commission unanimously finds that there were several opportunities that if taken, might have changed the course of these tragic events.”
Critical Findings And Necessary Actions
Upon further investigation, the commission found that law enforcement had the authority under Maine’s yellow flag law to seize Card’s weapons and place him under protective custody weeks ahead of the shooting. Most of the criticism, however, was directed towards local Army Reserve unit leaders for their negligence in exercising their authority over Card to mitigate public threat levels.
In response to the findings, the US Army Reserve has confirmed administrative actions against three officers due to their failures in Card’s chain of command. Changes are also being made in the Army Reserve’s psychological health programme and leadership training to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Information Gap Between Institutions
The report also revealed that Card’s commanding officer was aware of his auditory hallucinations, increasing aggressive behaviour, gun collecting, and ominous comments months before the tragic incident. Regrettably, all signs were overlooked, and the suggested steps of engaging in his care and removing his guns were not taken. Moreover, the Army Reserve notably failed to share information about Card’s threatening behaviour with other split authorities, including local sheriff’s offices.
The Bigger Picture
The commission’s report not only highlights the immediate case but also illuminates the systemic issues surrounding mental health and firearms in the country. The investigation suggests that even if information from the Army was absent, state authorities had enough knowledge to strip Card of his firearms by September 2023. As the nation grapples with the aftermath of this horrific event, a broader conversation about responsible gun ownership, mental health services, and coordination between different institutions is warranted. Stakeholders must focus on putting comprehensive measures into place to prevent such monumental tragedies in the future.
