Maine Governor Janet Mills has announced the formation of an independent commission to investigate the tragic mass shooting that took place in Lewiston last month, where 18 people lost their lives. The commission, comprised of seven experts with extensive legal, investigative, and mental health backgrounds, will focus on uncovering the reasons behind the apparent disregard of warning signs leading up to the incident. The shooting occurred at Schemengees Bar and Grille and the nearby Just-In-Time Recreation bowling alley.
Governor Mills emphasized the commission’s responsibility to examine the facts surrounding the October 25th shootings, including the events leading up to the incident and the police response. The gunman, identified as Robert Card, who was later found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, also injured 13 individuals, making it the deadliest mass shooting in Maine’s history.
Robert Card, a trained firearms instructor and U.S. Army reservist, had drawn the attention of law enforcement and concerned family members prior to the shooting. In July, Card had accused members of his battalion of labeling him a pedophile during their training in New York. He engaged in a physical altercation with one member before locking himself in a motel room. As a result, Card was admitted to Four Winds Psychiatric Hospital in Katonah, New York, for a 14-day evaluation and treatment. However, he was released without seeking further assistance.
Disturbingly, five weeks before the shooting, a member of Card’s Army Reserve unit sent texts expressing concerns that Card might engage in a mass shooting. The commission will investigate whether these warning signs were properly addressed and if any preventive measures could have been taken.
Governor Mills did not provide a specific timeline for when the commission’s findings will be released. However, she emphasized the importance of conducting the investigation transparently and stated that a comprehensive public report will be issued upon its conclusion.
The tragic incident prompted a significant law enforcement response, with hundreds of heavily armed police and FBI agents participating in a two-day manhunt for Card. The shooting has deeply affected the community of Lewiston, prompting a visit from President Biden to offer support and comfort to the grieving residents.
The independent commission’s members, who possess a diverse range of expertise, will play a crucial role in shedding light on the events leading up to the Maine mass shooting. Their findings will provide valuable insights into the handling of warning signs and the subsequent police response.
