A lieutenant colonel with the Army Reserves testified before an investigatory panel that a reservist who carried out the deadliest mass shooting in Maine history had a low threat profile when he left a psychiatric hospital before the tragic incident. The reservist, Robert Card, was not deemed a high risk despite concerns about his mental health.
Lt. Col. Ryan Vazquez, who oversees more than 200 reservists, explained that there were limitations in enforcing a mental treatment plan for Card while he was in civilian life. Additionally, there was no established procedure for the Army Reserves to confiscate Card's civilian weapons or secure them under normal circumstances.
Witnesses, including fellow Army reservists, had observed a decline in Card's mental state, with one individual expressing fears that he might engage in a mass shooting. Despite these warnings, Vazquez stated that he had limited authority over Card's actions when he was not on military duty.
An interim report released by an independent commission highlighted that law enforcement missed opportunities to intervene before the tragic events unfolded. Card ultimately took his own life following the mass shooting.
The commission, established by Governor Janet Mills, has been conducting public sessions to gather insights from various stakeholders, including law enforcement officials, victims' families, and survivors. The Army Reserves and the Army Inspector General are also conducting separate reviews and investigations into the incident.
During the hearing, it was acknowledged that Card's Army superiors faced challenges in addressing his mental health issues and ensuring compliance with treatment. The commission is expected to release a comprehensive report on the Lewiston shootings later this summer.
