Maine Gov. Janet Mills announces independent panel to investigate Lewiston mass shooting

Gov. Janet Mills (D-ME) will launch an independent commission to investigate the events that led to the mass shooting that killed 18 people and injured another 13 in Lewiston, Maine, last Wednesday.

A gunman opened fire at Just-In-Time Recreation and Schemengees Bar and Grille on Oct. 25, and a dayslong manhunt that resulted in authorities finding the suspected shooter dead followed. Robert Card, 40, was found dead by state police last Friday, his body located inside a recycling trailer at Maine Recycling Corporation, located in Lisbon Falls.

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As the Lewiston community reels from the tragedy, questions are circulating regarding the mental state of Card and how police responded to concerns in the months leading up to the shooting.

“A cornerstone of the ability to heal is to know the truth – in this case, the facts of what happened on that tragic night, of the months that led up to it, and of the police response to it,” Mills said in a statement.

Matt Rourke/AP

Card’s family previously contacted the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office in May to express concerns about his mental state, which the family said began declining in January. In September, the sheriff’s office received an email from Card’s Army reserve unit in Saco, Maine, seeking a wellness check. A deputy tried to contact Card at his residence on Sept. 16, less than six weeks before the mass shooting, but he was not home.

Card’s unit commander said he no longer had any weapons from the reserve, and his superiors were pushing for him to get treatment. The deputy also connected with Card’s brother on Sept. 17, who said he would work to obtain all firearms from Card.

“It is important to recognize that, from what we know thus far, on multiple occasions over the last ten months, concerns about Mr. Card’s mental health and his behavior were brought to the attention of his Army National Reserve Unit, as well as law enforcement agencies here in Maine and in New York,” Mills added. “This raises crucial questions about actions taken and what more could have been done to prevent this tragedy from occurring.”

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The governor said she will be working with the state attorney general to form a panel of “independent experts” who have “legal, investigative, and mental health backgrounds.”

“This – the complete facts and circumstances, including any failures – must be brought to light and known by all,” Mills said. “The families of the victims, those who were injured, those who are recovering, and the people of Maine and the nation deserve nothing less.”