An independent commission reviewing the shooting rampage in Lewiston, Maine, last year has revealed significant oversights by the local sheriff’s office and leaders of the gunman’s Army Reserve Unit. The commission's final report highlighted missed opportunities that could have potentially altered the tragic outcome.
The report emphasized that while Robert Card was deemed 'solely responsible' for the devastating incident that resulted in the loss of 18 lives and left 13 others injured, there were critical points where intervention could have made a difference.
According to the findings, the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office had sufficient grounds to utilize Maine’s yellow flag law in September 2023, a month before the shooting, to initiate the process of securing the gunman’s firearms. However, this course of action was not pursued, raising questions about a potential missed opportunity to prevent the tragedy.
Furthermore, the commission discovered that the leaders of Card’s Army Reserve Unit failed to act on recommendations from his mental health providers to ensure the removal of weapons from his residence. Additionally, crucial information regarding Card’s concerning behavior was not fully disclosed to the sheriff’s office by the commanding officers, which could have prompted a different response.
The report underscores the importance of effective communication and proactive measures in addressing potential threats to public safety. It serves as a reminder of the critical role that law enforcement agencies and military units play in identifying and addressing warning signs that could prevent such tragic events from occurring.
