The family of the gunman responsible for the worst mass shooting in Maine’s history in Lewiston, last October, is calling for changes in how military members with mental illness are supported. An Army Reserve investigation revealed multiple communication failures within Robert Card’s chain of command and the military and civilian hospitals where he had sought treatment for mental health concerns before the shooting. Despite exhibiting homicidal ideations and mentioning a hit list, Card was discharged with a low risk of harm to himself or others in August 2023.
The Army Reserve has taken administrative action against three officers in Card’s chain of command for dereliction of duty. Lieutenant General Jody Daniels, chief of Army Reserve, stated that the officers failed to follow procedures, including initiating an investigation after Card’s hospitalization in July 2023, which could have identified him as needing further care. Card, a combat weapons trainer at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, from 2014 to 2022, began experiencing auditory hallucinations in early 2023.
Family and friends reported multiple mental health incidents involving Card to authorities, but he was still expected to attend mandatory training in July. While in New York for training, Card’s mental state deteriorated, leading to his evaluation at a military hospital and subsequent transfer to a civilian hospital for 19 days. The lack of communication between the hospitals and Card’s chain of command resulted in a lack of follow-up care. Despite concerns from a friend in his unit about the potential for a mass shooting, Card was not in a duty status at the time he committed the act.
Efforts to engage with Card through wellness checks by local law enforcement were unsuccessful, leading to the tragic events on October 25. The case highlights the need for better communication and support systems for military members dealing with mental health issues. As the investigation continues, the family of the victims and community at large are pushing for reforms to prevent similar incidents in the future.