The families of victims and survivors from Maine’s deadliest mass shooting are suing the federal government. They argue that the US Army could have prevented what they describe as “one of the most preventable mass tragedies in American history.”
In October 2023, Robert Card killed eighteen people at a bowling alley and a bar and grill.
A committee appointed by Maine’s governor later found several missed opportunities for intervention by Army officials and local law enforcement, particularly as Card’s mental health worsened.
The lawsuit, which represents over 100 survivors and victims’ families, claims that the US government’s negligence “caused a direct and nearby mass shooting.” It alleges that both Army officials and others failed to act responsibly, breaking promises to Card’s family and their communities, and ignored existing policies.
“By March 2023, the US and its personnel were aware that Card was exhibiting paranoia and violent tendencies, but the Army, despite promising to remove his access to firearms, did not follow through,” the lawsuit states. “Worse, their actions and omissions misled local law enforcement, preventing timely interventions.”
A lawyer is expected to share more details during a press conference in Lewiston, near the shooting site.
A Pentagon spokesperson stated they would not comment on the pending lawsuit.
The legal team began preparing to sue the government about a year prior to formally filing, expressing concern that the Army did not act despite recognizing the decline in Card’s mental state.
Card’s mental health issues reportedly included hospitalization and delusional thoughts about violence. He allegedly even created a “hit list.” Some family members and fellow reservists noted his concerning behavior in the months leading up to the incident.
During Army training in July 2023, while stationed in New York, Card was hospitalized. Although he was assigned to help train cadets at West Point, officials later admitted they had not ensured he was taking his medications or receiving follow-up care.
Warnings from fellow reservists included alarming messages, such as, “I think he’s going to snap and shoot a lot.”
The lawsuit claims that from the outset, the Army disregarded mandatory policies and procedures in handling Card’s situation. They allege that serious issues raised at lower levels were not escalated to senior leaders who could have addressed them appropriately, resulting in disastrous outcomes.
Following the shooting, the Army launched its investigation. The then Army Reserve Lt. Gen. Jody Daniels noted “a series of failures by unit leadership.”
Disciplinary action was taken against three Army Reserve leaders for neglecting their responsibilities. Following the release of the governor’s committee report last August, the Army acknowledged the findings and stated its commitment to implementing changes to avoid similar tragedies in the future.
The shooting in Lewiston has since affected gun laws in Maine, a state known for its hunting and gun culture. This has led to legal challenges from gun rights advocates and remains a contentious topic nearly two years later.
