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An Army investigation has revealed a series of communication failures that hindered timely intervention for Robert Card, an Army reservist who killed 18 people in Lewiston, Maine, in October 2023. Despite warnings about his worsening mental health and alarming behavior, breakdowns in communication between military and civilian entities enabled Card to access firearms and carry out the mass shooting.
Let’s bring you up to speed: On October 25, 2023, Army reservist Robert Card carried out a devastating mass shooting at a bowling alley and a nearby restaurant in Lewiston, Maine. The attack claimed the lives of 18 people and left 13 others injured. Two days later, Card was discovered dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. This stands as the deadliest mass shooting in Maine’s history.
US Army investigation: The US Army investigation revealed significant communication failures among Robert Card’s military chain of command, civilian law enforcement, and hospitals. According to the investigation, discharge documents from the hospital were delayed and not promptly reviewed by the military, missing critical information about Card’s mental health. Despite a hospital admission in July of 2023 for psychosis, aggression, and homicidal ideations, he was assessed as a “very low risk” and discharged in August 2023 without adequate follow-up care. These mental issues were ultimately not reported to his chain of command.
Attempts to take his guns: Efforts by Card’s command to arrange the removal of firearms from his home were thwarted due to a lack of legal authority to enforce such measures. Despite this, local law enforcement has faced criticism for not taking action to confiscate his guns. They defended their inaction by stating there was no need, as Card’s family had agreed to remove all his firearms voluntarily.
Legislative and Policy Changes: In the aftermath of the Lewiston mass shooting, Maine implemented several new gun control measures. These include a mandatory 72-hour waiting period for most firearm purchases, expanded background checks, new laws for court-ordered firearm forfeiture, and criminal penalties for those who knowingly sell firearms to individuals prohibited from owning them. Additionally, the state adjusted the “yellow flag” law, allowing temporary confiscation of firearms from individuals deemed a threat after evaluation by a medical professional.
