An independent commission established to investigate the deadliest shooting in Maine's history is set to unveil its final report on Tuesday. The commission was formed following the tragic mass shooting on October 25, carried out by an Army reservist, which claimed the lives of 18 individuals at a bowling alley and a bar and grill in Lewiston.
Over the course of nine months, the commission conducted numerous public meetings, heard from numerous witnesses, and reviewed extensive evidence. Testimonies included emotional accounts from family members, survivors, law enforcement officials, U.S. Army Reserves personnel, and others.
The commission, appointed by Governor Janet Mills, will present the full report at a news conference at Lewiston City Hall, located near the sites of the shootings. The interim report released in March highlighted that law enforcement missed opportunities to prevent the tragedy by not seizing the shooter's guns and placing him in protective custody earlier.
During the public hearings, it was revealed that there was a rapid police response to the shootings, but challenges arose during the subsequent search for the gunman. Testimonies also shed light on the shooter's deteriorating mental health and missed warning signs.
Family members and fellow reservists testified about the shooter's concerning behavior leading up to the incident. Despite prior hospitalization by the Army due to mental health issues, follow-up care was not adequately monitored. A text message warning of a potential mass shooting was sent to an Army supervisor just a month before the tragedy.
Following the shootings, the Army conducted its own investigation, which identified failures in unit leadership. Three Army Reserve officers faced disciplinary action for neglect of duty, citing communication breakdowns within the chain of command and between military and civilian medical facilities.
In response to the incident, Maine implemented new gun laws, including a three-day waiting period for gun purchases. The commission, chaired by former Chief Justice Daniel Wathen, comprised a diverse panel of legal and mental health experts.
