Independent Commission on Lewiston Shooting to Hold Series of Public Meetings, Featuring Testimony from Law Enforcement, Victims, Army Personnel

The Independent Commission tasked by Maine Gov. Janet Mills with investigating the Oct. 25 mass shooting in Lewiston will hold a series of public meetings in the coming weeks, featuring testimony from victims, law enforcement and army personnel.

[RELATED: Maine Gov Calls for “Independent” Commission to Review Police, Army Failures and Botched Investigation Around Robert Card’s Lewiston Murder Spree…]

Established via executive order by Gov. Mills on Nov. 9, the Independent Commission is charged with investigating the “complete facts and circumstances — including any failures or omissions” related to the Lewiston shooting.

The Commission is comprised of seven experts from both legal and mental health backgrounds, and is chaired by Daniel Wathen, former Chief Justice of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court.

Unanswered questions remain as to the shooter Robert R. Card, Jr.’s mental health history, his access to firearms, and his interactions with law enforcement and U.S. Army personnel in the months leading up to the shooting.

[RELATED: Lewiston Shooter Robert Card’s Army Reserve Unit Was Filled with Cops…]

Card’s two-week stay at a psychiatric hospital in the summer of 2023 after exhibiting erratic behavior and assaulting fellow soldiers in his Army Reserve unit, as well as his threats to shoot up a military installation in Saco have led many to question why Maine’s “yellow flag” law was not implemented to restrict Card’s access to firearms.

Below is a list of the Commission’s scheduled public meetings, and which testimonies are scheduled for each meeting:

• Thursday, Jan. 25, 9:00 a.m.: Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Department.
• 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.

All meetings are scheduled to be held in the Deering Building, Room 101, at 90 Bloom Lane in Augusta.

This story was updated to include the location of the meetings.