Maine’s two senators called on the U.S. Army’s inspector general to investigate the military branch over its connections to the Lewiston mass shooter, Robert Card, who killed 18 people and wounded 13 others late last month.
Senators Susan Collins (R., Maine) and Angus King (I., Maine) sent a joint letter to Army inspector general Donna Martin on Monday, requesting the department review the events that led to Maine’s deadliest shooting on October 25.
“As we continue to grieve the needless loss of life that day, we must work to fully understand what happened — and what could have been done differently that might have prevented this tragedy — on the local, state, and federal levels,” the senators wrote.
A reservist, Card “exhibited troubling behaviors” in the months prior to the tragic incident, according to the letter. The Army barred Card from handling guns due to his suffering mental health when he returned to Maine in August, ruling he should “not have a weapon, handle ammunition or participate in live-fire activity.”
State police found Card deceased two days after he fired at patrons in a bowling alley and bar, effectively ending the extensive statewide manhunt for the suspect.
On Wednesday, Maine governor Janet Mills announced her intent to establish an independent commission to determine the facts and circumstances surrounding the Lewiston shooting, including the police response. Collins and King said they fully support the move but noted, “It is also important that we understand what occurred, or failed to occur, at the federal level, including within the Department of the Army.”
Both senators asked the inspector general in her probe of the Army to consider several questions, including the details of when and how Card’s mental health concerns were raised and whether military personnel should have, or could have, done anything differently to prevent the mass shooting, among other inquiries.
“As Congress exercises its oversight responsibilities and considers potential legislation, we request that your Office conduct a comprehensive review of the facts and events leading up to the Lewiston shooting,” Collins and King concluded. “Nothing we can do will bring back the lives lost in this tragedy, but we can work together to help prevent future shootings.”