The families of the victims of the deadliest mass shooting in Maine’s history are calling for a broader federal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killings. The request was made after Army officials released reports stating that three Army Reserve officers were disciplined in the aftermath of the shootings, which were carried out by a reservist. The families’ lawyers expressed concern over the “narrow scope” of the Army reviews and conflicting conclusions in the reports.
The shooting occurred at a bowling alley and bar in Lewiston, resulting in 18 deaths and numerous injuries. The shooter, Robert Card, who later died by suicide, was facing mental health issues at the time. The reports highlighted failures by unit leadership and recommended procedural changes and new policies to better manage reservists’ mental health. Maine’s congressional delegation supports the swift implementation of these recommendations.
In addition to the Army reports, an independent commission established by Governor Janet Mills is also investigating the incident. The families are urging Maine’s congressional delegation to push for an investigation by the Inspector General for the Department of Defense to identify system failures that led to the tragedy. While the investigation cannot undo the tragedy, it aims to learn from past errors and prevent similar incidents in the future.
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