18 lives were claimed in a mass shooting by Robert Card in October 2024.
Robert Card, a man with mental health issues and a traumatic brain injury, obtained guns despite warnings from family about his erratic behavior and access to firearms.
Sagadahoc County Sheriff's Office criticized for failing to take action under Maine's Yellow Flag law regarding Card's access to guns.
In Lewiston, Maine, the family of Robert Card, the man responsible for a mass shooting that claimed 18 lives in October 2024, testified before an independent commission investigating the law enforcement response to the tragedy. The family members expressed feelings of guilt and anguish over their role in trying to help Card, who had a history of mental health issues and a traumatic brain injury. Despite warnings from Card's family about his access to guns and threats he made to shoot up his Army unit in Saco, Maine, he was still able to obtain weapons. The commission criticized the Sagadahoc County Sheriff's Office for failing to take action under Maine's Yellow Flag law. Many survivors have criticized authorities for not securing Card's guns despite warnings from his family and colleagues about his erratic behavior and access to firearms. Researchers at Boston University's Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center reported that Card had evidence of significant traumatic brain injury at the time of the shootings, likely playing a role in his behavioral changes. The commission will continue its investigation into the events leading up to the mass shooting and the law enforcement response.
Nicole Herling called for a clearer, more accessible system for families to share concerns with military supervisors and more education about risk of brain injury to soldiers and reservists
Army committed to understanding how brain health is affected and implementing evidence-based risk mitigation and treatment
Accuracy
Robert R. Card II killed 18 people in Lewiston, Maine last fall
Robert Card was able to carry out a mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine on Oct. 25, 2024, killing 18 people and wounding 13 others at the Just-In-Time bowling alley and Schemengees Bar & Grille.
Robert R. Card II was a longtime Army Reserve grenade instructor exposed to thousands of blasts in his years of training cadets
Robert Card was able to carry out a mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine on Oct. 25, 2024, killing 18 people and wounding 13 others at the Just-In-Time bowling alley and Schemengees Bar & Grille.
Card’s family warned authorities about his access to guns and threats he made to shoot up his Army unit in Saco, but he was still able to obtain weapons.
Card’s behavior during Army training in New York last July led his commander to have him evaluated at an Army hospital for unspecified psychosis.
In September, Card’s fellow soldier reported that Card had punched him and expressed concern about Card committing a mass shooting. The commission criticized the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office for failing to take action under Maine’s Yellow Flag law.
Many survivors have criticized authorities for not securing Card’s guns despite warnings.
Card family members testified before the independent commission investigating the law enforcement response to the mass shooting, describing their feelings of guilt and anguish over the Lewiston shooting and their attempts to help Card.
Months before the shooting, in June, Card confronted two women he thought were talking about him at Just-In-Time bowling alley. He was harassed by colleagues due to a similar name on Maine’s sex offender registry.
Researchers at Boston University’s Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center reported that Card had evidence of significant traumatic brain injury at the time of the shootings, likely playing a role in his behavioral changes.
Accuracy
Robert R. Card II killed 18 people in Lewiston, Maine last fall
Card's family warned authorities about his access to guns and threats he made to shoot up his Army unit in Saco, but he was still able to obtain weapons.
Cara Lamb, ex-wife of Robert Card, will testify before the independent commission investigating the Lewiston mass shootings on Thursday.
Robert Card's family expressed concerns about his mental health to the military multiple times
Robert Card's family testified before a commission in Lewiston, Maine
Card's family expressed concerns about his mental health to the military multiple times
Military did not return calls regarding Card’s mental health concerns
Accuracy
Robert Card's family expressed concerns about his mental health to the military multiple times
Trauma detected in Robert Card's brain after his death raised questions about the effects of repeated exposures on mental health
Deception
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The article provides a platform for the gunman's family to call for changes in how the military handles mental health issues. While it does not directly deceive readers, it heavily leans on the family's perspective and omits any counter-arguments or expert opinions on whether these changes are necessary or effective. The article also implies that the military was aware of the gunman's mental health struggles due to a traumatic brain injury but does not link to any peer-reviewed studies supporting this claim.
The family of Robert Card will never forget the 18 victims.
