Prior Warnings Over Maine Gunman's Mental Health Raise Concerns

 Prior Warnings Over Maine Gunman's Mental Health Raise Concerns

Records released on Monday reveal that both the Army Reserve and a Maine sheriff’s department were aware of a reservist's declining mental health over five months before he carried out the deadliest mass shooting in America this year in Lewiston, Maine on October 25.

The documents, which were made public on Monday, indicate that the reservist, Robert R. Card II, had displayed increasingly paranoid behavior and had expressed intentions to carry out a shooting spree just six weeks prior to the tragic event. However, there is no evidence in the documents to suggest that law enforcement officials had contacted Mr. Card or intervened in any way.

The warnings regarding Mr. Card's mental health were more explicit than initially disclosed by Maine officials. They came from Mr. Card's family members who were concerned about his well-being and the Army Reserve unit in Saco, Maine, where he served. These concerns prompted an investigation by the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office.

Mr. Card's family reported to a sheriff's deputy in May that he had become increasingly angry and paranoid, particularly with false accusations of pedophilia against him. When the deputy reached out to Mr. Card's base in Saco, he learned that they were also concerned about his mental health.

In July, Mr. Card was treated at a psychiatric hospital in New York after an incident at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, where he accused other soldiers of labeling him a pedophile and made veiled threats.

By mid-September, Mr. Card made explicit threats to a friend, indicating he had firearms and intended to carry out a shooting. The Army Reserve contacted the Sheriff’s Office, and a sergeant, Aaron Skolfield, was assigned to check on Mr. Card at his home.

However, when Sergeant Skolfield visited Mr. Card's home on September 16, he was unable to make contact, even though he heard movement inside. He then discussed the situation with Mr. Card's commanding officer, who suggested that Mr. Card needed some time to himself. The Reserve was working on facilitating Mr. Card's retirement and access to mental health treatment.

Despite these incidents and concerns, it does not appear that Mr. Card was subjected to a "yellow flag" law evaluation or had his access to firearms restricted. He later went on a shooting rampage, resulting in 18 casualties, and ultimately took his own life.

The records highlight questions about whether more could have been done to prevent the tragedy or restrict Mr. Card's access to firearms, especially considering his deteriorating mental health. Federal officials confirmed that he legally purchased some firearms just days before the shooting.

This incident has raised concerns about the need for comprehensive mental health support and intervention in cases like Mr. Card's to prevent similar tragedies in the future.