Independent Commission Finds Army Failures in Maine Shooting

An independent commission's report revealed significant failures by both the U.S. Army Reserve and local law enforcement that contributed to the mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, on October 25, 2023, which resulted in 18 deaths. The report highlighted missed opportunities to address the mental health issues of the shooter, Robert Card, and to confiscate his firearms under Maine's yellow flag law. Despite being aware of Card's auditory hallucinations and aggressive behavior, Army personnel failed to act on mental health recommendations and did not share crucial information with law enforcement. The commission noted that police had sufficient cause to place Card in protective custody weeks before the incident but chose not to intervene. Following the shooting, Maine enacted new gun laws in response to the tragedy. The investigation led to disciplinary actions against three reserve officers for their dereliction of duty.