A commission investigating the events leading up to the October shooting in Maine found that local police may have detained the gunman and confiscated the weapon before the shooting.
On October 25, Army reservist Robert Card killed 18 people in Lewiston, Maine, in the deadliest mass shooting in the state’s history. Card was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound two days after the shooting occurred.
A seven-member commission that has been examining the events leading up to the shooting and the response that resulted has released its report. breaking news on friday.
The commission found that the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office had “sufficient probable cause” to detain Card and “remove the firearm” under the “Maine Yellow Flag Law.” The commission also said the sheriff’s office “had probable cause to believe Mr. Card was capable of serious harm,” according to a preliminary report released Friday.
Card’s family and those he served had expressed concerns about his behavior prior to the incident, the report said.
The report also details the surveillance of Sgt. Aaron Scolefield.
Schollfield was responding to reports five weeks before the shooting that Card had previously threatened to open fire at the Saco Armory and had previously assaulted a friend.
Mr Scolfield “must have realized that there was sufficient reason to initiate a yellow flag process. Sergeant Mr Scolfield made only limited attempts to achieve a ‘face to face’ meeting with Mr Card.” He failed to refer to the department’s records regarding previous complaints about Mr. Card, failed to contact the individuals who had been assaulted by Mr. Card and heard his threats, and to determine how to contact Mr. Card. He also neglected to follow up on the clues. ” the commission said in its report.
It continued: “He also did not seek assistance from prosecutors or other law enforcement agencies to determine the best course of action.”
Maine’s yellow flag law requires petitioners to report threats to law enforcement, and those making threats may be subject to a mental health evaluation.
The Committee noted that this report is not a finished product. Further meetings will be held before the final report is released.
The commission is comprised of former Maine Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Daniel E. Wasen, the state’s chief forensic psychologist Dr. Debra Bader, and five other members, all of whom are Governor Janet Mills ( (Democratic Party) and the Attorney General. Aaron Frey (Democrat).
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