LEWISTON, Maine – The U.S. Army Inspector General has initiated a formal investigation into the recent mass shooting in Maine, responding to the demands of the victims’ families and Maine’s congressional delegation. The investigation aims to examine the army’s knowledge and handling of the shooter’s mental health issues in the weeks leading up to the tragic incident, which claimed the lives of 18 people.
At the end of November, family members of the shooting victims and a survivor met with Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King, as well as Reps. Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden, to discuss their concerns and push for a comprehensive review.
The mass shooting occurred on October 25 when Robert Card opened fire at Just-in-Time Recreation and Schemengees Bar and Grille, resulting in 18 fatalities and 13 injuries. The tragedy unfolded in two separate locations, with the first shots ringing out at around 6:56 p.m. Witnesses reported that a man walked into the recreation center and began shooting. Just twelve minutes later, at 7:08 p.m., police received multiple distress calls indicating that a man had entered the restaurant and initiated another round of gunfire.
Following the massacre, Card’s body was discovered two days later on October 27 at the Maine Recycling Corporation in Lisbon. Authorities found him inside an unlocked box-style trailer, situated in the overflow parking lot. The cause of death was determined to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Documents in possession of law enforcement disclosed that multiple warnings had been issued regarding the gunman’s deteriorating mental health and the perceived risk of him carrying out a mass shooting.
The U.S. Army Inspector General’s investigation will delve into the events leading up to the tragic incident in Maine, addressing concerns regarding the army’s handling of the shooter’s mental health issues. The decision to launch the formal investigation was welcomed by the families of the victims and Maine’s congressional delegation, who have been actively advocating for a thorough examination of the circumstances surrounding the mass shooting.
As investigations progress, more information is expected to emerge regarding the U.S. Army’s knowledge and actions related to the shooter’s mental health in the weeks and months before the devastating incident. The results of the investigation could potentially shed light on areas that require improvements or systemic changes to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The launch of the U.S. Army Inspector General’s investigation represents a significant step towards understanding the factors that may have contributed to the tragedy, as well as providing better support and prevention mechanisms for individuals struggling with mental health issues within the military.
