Maine lawmakers press harder for independent Army probe of Lewiston shooting

Maine’s congressional delegation on Friday renewed calls for the Army inspector general to conduct a private investigation into the events that led to the deadliest mass shooting in the state earlier this year.

“We believe it is imperative that you, as the Inspector General of the Army, conduct an investigation separate from the ongoing administrative review conducted pursuant to the Army’s Suicide Prevention Program regulations,” the group of lawmakers wrote in a letter.

“This tragedy warrants a much broader, independent inquiry,” they continued. “We must work to fully understand what happened—and what could have been done differently that might have prevented the Lewiston shooting—on the local, state, and federal levels.”

The letter was signed by Sens. Angus King (I) and Susan Collins (R), as well Reps. Jared Golden (D) and Chellie M. Pingree (D).

Robert Card, a former Army reservist, opened fire in a bowling alley and at a restaurant on Oct. 25 in Lewiston, leaving 18 people dead and at least 13 others injured. Following a long search, Card was found dead, having succumbed to a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

State officials and law enforcement suggested the event likely happened due to the suspect’s perceived mental health struggles, as he had allegedly been hospitalized in a mental health facility over the summer.

According to previous records, the gunman’s family contacted the local sheriff’s office in May raising concerns about his deteriorating mental health and access to firearms. A subsequent wellness check was requested in September and a deputy sent an alert to agencies that Card was missing.

In that alert, he urged officers to use “extreme caution” and warned Card was “known to be armed and dangerous and included details of his behavior.”

Following the deadly shooting, law enforcement revealed Card had left a note to a “loved one” containing the password to his phone and bank account information. While the note wasn’t “an explicit suicide note” police said it had the “tone and tenor” of one.

The delegation said Army regulations require an investigation to be completed for any suspected or confirmed suicide and they believed it was warranted in this case — adding that “concurrent investigations” are often needed in certain circumstances.

“As you know, there is precedent for Inspector General inquiries following shooting events involving current or former military personnel,” they wrote to the inspector general.

Card’s body was discovered two days after the massacre near a recycling center where he previously worked. Hundreds of law enforcement agents from all over the country were involved in the search.

“We must also give the American people confidence that the investigation is comprehensive and unbiased,” the lawmakers wrote Friday.

“Thank you for your attention, and we reiterate our request that you begin your work on this matter expeditiously,” they concluded.