Final Report on Lewiston Mass Shooting

LEWISTON, Maine — A special commission investigating the deadliest shooting in Maine's history is poised to release its final report on Tuesday, following extensive public hearings and testimonies over the past nine months. Governor Janet Mills will unveil the report at a news conference at Lewiston City Hall, located near the sites of the tragic events. While the interim report from March indicated that law enforcement could have intervened prior to the shooting, it remains uncertain whether the final report will reveal any new findings. The commission's hearings highlighted both the rapid police response to the shooting and the subsequent chaos during the manhunt for the shooter, 40-year-old Robert Card, an Army Reservist. Testimonies from family members and fellow reservists painted a troubling picture of Card's deteriorating mental health, with warnings about his potential for violence going unheeded. Card's sister poignantly testified about her brother's struggles, while Kathleen Walker, whose husband died trying to confront Card, emphasized the systemic failures that allowed the tragedy to occur. In the aftermath of the shooting, the Army conducted its own investigation, uncovering significant leadership failures within Card's unit. Three officers faced disciplinary action for their roles in the oversight of Card's mental health care. In response to the shooting, Maine's legislature has enacted new gun laws, including a three-day waiting period for firearm purchases, reflecting a shift in the state's approach to gun ownership. The commission, chaired by former Chief Justice Daniel Wathen, aims to provide a comprehensive account of the events leading up to the shooting and the lessons learned.