An Army reservist and friend of the gunman behind Maine’s deadliest mass shooting testified Thursday about his friend's mental decline, describing publicly for the first time the warning he issued a month before the tragedy unfolded.
The reservist texted leaders of his reserve unit six weeks before the shooting, advising them to change the passcode to the gate at their Army Reserve training facility and arm themselves if the gunman showed up.
He recounted issuing the warning after the gunman's delusional and violent behavior escalated, culminating in a physical altercation where the gunman punched him in the face.
The tragic events occurred six months ago when the gunman opened fire at a bowling alley and a bar in Lewiston, driven by a delusional belief that people were talking about him behind his back. Two days later, the 40-year-old gunman was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Concerns about the gunman's mental state were not isolated to the reservist who issued the warning. Several other reservists witnessed his deterioration during training, leading to a hospitalization in July after relatives expressed concerns about his paranoia and access to firearms.
An independent commission found that authorities had probable cause to take the gunman into custody and seize his guns under Maine’s “yellow flag” law but failed to do so. The commission also criticized the police for not following up on the warning text issued by the reservist.
Testimonies from reservists highlighted the gunman's escalating threats and delusions, coupled with his access to firearms, raising concerns about the potential for harm.
The reservists described the gunman's transformation from a 'normal guy' to a paranoid individual who believed false accusations against him and acquired specialized equipment, such as a night vision scope.
The reservist who issued the warning expressed his struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder and alcohol addiction but clarified that he was sober and alert when he raised the alarm.
Victim services officials also testified about the challenges of responding to the tragedy and providing support to those affected.
As the community continues to heal, a commemoration event was planned to mark the six-month anniversary of the mass shooting, emphasizing the collective journey towards recovery.
