Commission Criticizes Failures in Maine Mass Shooting

An independent commission's final report on the deadly mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, reveals critical failures by both the Army Reserve and local law enforcement that potentially allowed the tragedy to occur. The report emphasizes that law enforcement had probable cause to invoke Maine's yellow flag law to seize the firearms of gunman Robert Card, who killed 18 people, but did not do so. Additionally, Card's Army Reserve unit failed to act on mental health recommendations to secure his weapons and share crucial information regarding his behavior with local authorities. Despite these lapses, the commission asserts that Card is solely responsible for his actions. The findings highlight a lack of proactive measures and communication that could have altered the course of events leading to the shooting. As legal actions are anticipated from victims' families seeking further accountability, the commission's report serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of timely intervention in mental health crises.