Army Reservist’s Mass Shooting in Lewiston, Maine, Reveals Critical Failures in Mental Health Management and Procedural Oversight

On Tuesday, an internal Army report revealed serious deficiencies in the handling of Robert Card, the Army reservist responsible for a mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, on October 25, 2023. The report outlined a series of procedural lapses and "multiple errors" by Card's unit, which failed to adhere to essential protocols following his psychiatric hospitalization earlier in the year. These shortcomings have led to disciplinary measures against three officers, who are now barred from future military advancement. The identities of the officers involved have been redacted in the report.

Background and Investigation

The report’s findings have intensified scrutiny following the shooting, which resulted in 18 fatalities. Card, a 40-year-old Army reservist, had previously been admitted to a psychiatric facility where he was diagnosed with severe mental health issues, including psychosis and homicidal ideations. Despite these alarming signs, the Army failed to conduct a critical follow-up investigation, contributing to the tragedy.

The report details that Card exhibited concerning behavior prior to the shooting. In July 2023, he physically assaulted a fellow reservist and subsequently isolated himself in a motel room, leading to state police intervention and hospitalization. Although Card was released from psychiatric care, the Army did not initiate a "line of duty investigation," a crucial process for documenting his mental state and potentially facilitating his discharge from the military.

Failures and Disciplinary Actions

The report highlights significant procedural oversights by Card’s unit. It found that the failure to follow up properly and initiate the disability evaluation system constituted critical errors. Consequently, three officers within Card’s unit were deemed "derelict in their duties" and disciplined, preventing them from future military promotions.

Additionally, the report identified severe communication breakdowns between military medical agencies and Card’s chain of command. Lt. Gen. Jody Daniels of the U.S. Army Reserve acknowledged these deficiencies, stating, "While unit leadership took several consistent and sustained actions to address Sgt. Card's deteriorating mental health, there were also a series of failures by unit leadership." The Army has committed to enhancing communication protocols to prevent such issues in the future.

Local Law Enforcement and Mental Health Concerns

The report also criticized local law enforcement, particularly the Sagadahoc County Sheriff's Office (SCSO), for not conducting a more comprehensive welfare check on Card before the shooting. The report suggested that a thorough check could have led to the seizure of Card’s firearms under the state's "yellow flag" law, which allows officers to confiscate weapons if an individual is deemed a threat to themselves or others.

Card’s family had previously voiced concerns about his mental state, reporting that he had been hearing voices and exhibiting increasing paranoia. Despite their efforts to alert local law enforcement, their concerns were reportedly inadequately addressed.

Traumatic Brain Injury and Forensic Analysis

Following the shooting, Card’s family donated his brain to the Boston University CTE Center for analysis. The center found evidence of a traumatic brain injury, which they linked to his military service. However, the Army’s report noted that Walter Reed National Military Medical Center is conducting a forensic analysis to understand the motivations behind Card’s actions. The investigation has yet to establish a definitive link between Card’s military service and his traumatic brain injury or subsequent violent behavior.

The Army’s report concluded, "I am unable to determine, by a preponderance of evidence, what caused" the shooting. It acknowledged that while Card’s military records did not indicate significant brain trauma from his service, any brain-related injury was "not related to his military service."

Broader Implications and Recommendations

The report underscores the urgent need for improved procedures and communication within both military and local law enforcement agencies. It emphasizes the importance of timely follow-ups on mental health issues and strict adherence to established protocols to prevent such tragedies.

The Army’s commitment to addressing these failures and implementing recommended changes reflects a broader effort to enhance safety and accountability across military and civilian domains. The impact of these findings on future policies and practices will be closely monitored as the Army and local agencies work to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The family of Robert Card has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the report’s findings.