An independent commission investigating Maine’s deadliest mass shooting has concluded that law enforcement missed crucial opportunities to prevent the tragedy. The commission found that there were grounds to pursue assault charges against the shooter, Robert Card, for an incident where he punched a fellow Army reservist prior to the shooting that claimed 18 lives in Lewiston.
The commission's interim report highlighted the state’s “yellow flag” law, which allows for the temporary removal of firearms during a psychiatric health crisis. It criticized the Sagadahoc County sheriff's office for not taking action under this law to seize Card's guns despite having probable cause.
One significant incident involved Card's best friend reporting an assault by Card and expressing concerns about his potential for violence. However, law enforcement failed to follow up on this report, missing another opportunity to intervene.
The commission emphasized that law enforcement officers do not need a victim to press charges in order to pursue a case. It pointed out that prosecutors rely on law enforcement to conduct thorough investigations and bring forth charges when necessary.
While legal experts agree that there were grounds to charge Card with assault, the question remains whether such actions could have prevented the mass shooting. Some believe that intervening earlier could have potentially led to the removal of Card's firearms and possibly altered the course of events.
Experts noted that law enforcement faces challenges in pursuing charges for simple assault without a warrant unless the crime is witnessed. They also highlighted the lack of cooperation between different agencies, such as the military, state police, and local law enforcement, as a significant issue in cases like this.
In hindsight, the missed opportunities to address Card's behavior and mental health issues were seen as red flags that were not acted upon. While it is unclear whether different actions would have changed the outcome, the commission's findings underscore the importance of proactive intervention in cases involving potential threats of violence.
