An Army Reserve investigation has uncovered significant communication failures in the months preceding the tragic mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, committed by Army reservist Robert Card last October. The investigation pointed out lapses within Card’s chain of command and both military and civilian hospitals that treated him for mental health issues before the shooting. Despite showing signs of “homicidal ideations” and talking about a “hit list,” Card was released from the hospital in August 2023, deemed at “very low risk” to himself or others.
Army Reserve punishes officers for dereliction of duty related to Maine shooting #Shooting #Suicide #Mainehttps://t.co/15DVHe35hv
— sylvaner (@Sylvaners) July 23, 2024
The investigation led to administrative punishments for three officers in Card’s chain of command for “dereliction of duty.” Lieutenant General Jody Daniels, chief of the Army Reserve, highlighted that the officers did not follow protocols, such as initiating an investigation after Card’s hospitalization in July 2023, which could have identified his need for further care.
From 2014 to 2022, Card served as a combat weapons trainer at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, mostly as a “pit NCO” instructor on the hand grenade range. However, starting in January 2023, Card began hearing voices he believed were mocking him, both online and in person. His family reported at least four mental health incidents to a school resource officer by May 2023, who then alerted local law enforcement. The Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office informed Card’s Reserve chain of command, yet his unit still required his attendance at mandatory annual training in July.
While at training in New York, Card displayed signs of a “deteriorating mental state.” His command referred him for evaluation at a nearby military hospital, which concluded that he needed more intensive care at Four Winds, a civilian hospital. Card was hospitalized for 19 days with a diagnosis of “brief psychotic disorder.” Upon his release, neither the civilian nor military hospitals communicated his discharge status or follow-up care to his chain of command. Protocols dictate that if a soldier is hospitalized for over 24 hours, the command should initiate a line of duty investigation, which would have ensured communication about Card’s condition.
3 Army Reserve officers disciplined after reservist killed 18 people in Maine.https://t.co/KsTKnfewci
— What is Right wing extremism (@WExtremism) July 23, 2024
Card was not on duty when he killed 18 people at a bowling alley and a nearby restaurant on October 25, 2023. In September, a friend from Card’s unit expressed concerns that Card might commit a mass shooting. Without authority over him, his Reserve leadership contacted local law enforcement for wellness checks, but they were unable to engage with Card during their attempts.
Key Points:
- An Army Reserve investigation found communication failures regarding Robert Card’s mental health before his mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine.
- Card showed “homicidal ideations” but was discharged from the hospital in August 2023 as a “very low risk.”
- Three officers in Card’s chain of command were punished for not following procedures that could have flagged Card’s need for more care.
- Card’s family reported multiple mental health incidents, but his unit still required him to attend training.
- Concerns about Card’s potential for violence were reported, but wellness checks by local law enforcement failed to engage with him.
Susan Guglielmo – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
