A recently released independent report has determined that local authorities responded reasonably to concerns regarding the deteriorating mental health of Robert Card, the suspect in the tragic Maine mass shootings. The 40-year-old Army Reservist displayed numerous warning signs of declining psychological well-being in the months leading up to the fatal incident on October 25. Card allegedly opened fire at a bar and bowling alley in Lewiston, resulting in 18 fatalities and 13 injuries before being found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound following a two-day manhunt.
Prior to the shootings, Card’s family had expressed concerns about his mental state and the fact that he had access to firearms. Although a “yellow flag” order, which would have temporarily restricted his access to guns during a mental health crisis, was not executed, the firearms used in the shooting had been legally obtained by Card.
The Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office responded to mental health concerns about Card on multiple occasions in May and September. The independent 93-page report concluded that the response was deemed “reasonable under the totality of the circumstances.”
The review acknowledged that the deputy and sergeant involved in the May and September incidents “diligently explored the nature and extent of the concerns about Mr. Card’s mental health.” It also found it reasonable for them to conclude that Card did not pose an imminent risk of harm to himself or others based on the circumstances at the time.
Furthermore, the report highlighted that there were insufficient grounds to place Card in protective custody or take other actions. Instead, deferring the monitoring of Card’s well-being to third parties while emphasizing the availability of Sheriff’s Office resources was deemed “objectively reasonable.”
In light of the findings, the report recommends that the sheriff’s office enhance its mental health-related training programs, leverage its partnership with the newly available mental health liaison resource, and explore the creation of a dedicated mental health response team.
The Sagadahoc Sheriff’s Office has committed to implementing these recommendations. Sheriff Joel Merry emphasized the agency’s dedication to supporting those affected by the October 25 incident while objectively assessing and making changes to reduce the risk of similar occurrences.
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Initiated by the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office on November 3, the independent review was conducted by Michael A. Cunniff, a former supervisory special agent for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Additional reviews of the mass shooting are ongoing, with Maine Governor Janet Mills and Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey announcing the formation of a seven-member commission in November to comprehensively investigate all aspects of the incident.