A family member of an Army reservist who committed a mass shooting in Maine issued a heartfelt apology during a public testimony on Thursday. The family expressed their deep sorrow and frustration over the lack of mental health care provided to the shooter before the tragic incident. The shooter's sister and her husband described their efforts to seek help as the shooter's mental health deteriorated over several months.
The independent commission investigating the shooting heard emotional accounts from the family, detailing the shooter's increasing paranoia leading up to the rampage. The shooter's family, visibly distraught, shared their struggles in getting assistance for him and the moment they realized his involvement in the tragedy.
The commission, which has already heard from various stakeholders including police, victims, and Army reservists, is investigating the deadliest shooting in Maine's history. The 40-year-old reservist took his own life after carrying out the shooting at a bowling alley and a bar and grill in Lewiston in October.
In response to the shooting, Maine passed new gun laws, including strengthening the state's gun control measures and increasing funding for mental health crisis care. The shooter's family, who had maintained a low profile, blamed his mental decline on traumatic brain injuries resulting from his military training.
The family criticized the military, law enforcement, and media coverage for failing to provide adequate support. They highlighted the Army Reserves' lack of response to their pleas for help and accused police of disregarding warning signs. The shooter's ex-wife raised concerns about his access to guns and growing paranoia, which she had reported to authorities.
Fellow Army reservists also observed the shooter's deteriorating mental state, with one member expressing concerns about a potential mass shooting. The commission's interim report suggested that law enforcement should have confiscated the shooter's guns based on prior warnings, rather than relying on the family to handle the situation.
The family recounted instances where they felt pressured by law enforcement to take responsibility for the guns, despite their efforts to address the escalating situation. The commission criticized law enforcement for not taking more decisive action to prevent the tragedy.
Despite their grief and frustration, the family members were thanked by the commission chair for their testimony, acknowledging the difficult position they have been placed in as a result of the tragedy.
