The Independent Commission tasked by Maine Gov. Janet Mills with investigating the facts and circumstances surrounding the Oct. 25 mass shooting in Lewiston is slated to hear testimony from members of the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) Thursday morning.
Members of the SCSO were made aware of the Lewiston shooter Robert R. Card, Jr.’s declining mental health as early as May 2023, when Card’s son and ex-wife voiced their concerns about Card’s paranoia and access to firearms to law enforcement.
In September 2023, just weeks before the shooting took place and claimed the lives of 18 Mainers and injured 13, the Sgt. Aaron Skolfield of the SCSO attempted to conduct two wellness checks at Card’s home in Bowdoin, but failed to make contact with him.
[RELATED: Lewiston Shooter Robert Card’s Army Reserve Unit Was Filled with Cops…]
A third-party review released in December of the SCSO’s response to concerns about Card’s mental health determined that their conduct was “reasonable under the totality of circumstances,” and that there was insufficient grounds to take Card into protective custody — which could have resulted in his access to firearms being restricted under Maine’s “yellow flag” law.
[RELATED: Cases Less Severe Than Robert Card Triggered Maine’s Yellow Flag Law Firearm Restrictions…]
The SCSO members will testify publicly before the seven-member Independent Commission Thursday at 9 a.m., in the Deering Building, room 101, at 90 Blossom Lane in Augusta.
Below is a list of the Commission’s scheduled public meetings through early March, and the testimonies which are scheduled for each meeting:
- Thursday, Feb. 1, 8:30 a.m.: Testimony from victims — so far, four victims are scheduled to testify.
- Thursday, Feb. 15, 9:00 a.m.: Maine State Police.
- Thursday, March 7 (Time TBD): The Commission has extended a request to U.S. Army personnel to testify.
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="24933 https://www.themainewire.com/?p=24933">2 Comments
They should be asked
1. PLEASE EXPLAIN THE INTENT OF MAINE’S YELLOW FLAG LAW.
2. WHAT TOOLS ARE USED FOR LAW ENFORCMENT HAVE TO ACUALLY INVESTIGATE AND DETERMINE TO ENFORCE/NOT ENFORCE THE MAINE’S YELLOW FLAG LAW?
Obvious that someone at some agency dropped the ball.
Questions need to be asked: What is the process for Army personnel to contact local enforcement personnel with concerns about a reservist or former military person who has been seen for mental illness?
What is considered a “reasonable” search attempt or how many times should law enforcement need to attempt to contact an individual whose name has been given to law enforcement due to concerns?
If an individual with former military training has sought out medical assistance, how can that be communicated to the local law enforcement agency?
This situation has caused grief to our community that may have been prevented by asking a few more questions, making a few more attempts. May God bring comfort and peace to all involved.