The systemic failures that led to Robert R. Card Jr.’s mass murder spree on Oct. 25 in Lewiston demand multiple investigations at multiple levels of government.
Based on public records reported by the Maine Wire and other media outlets, it appears clear that Maine law enforcement knew for months that Card was a ticking time bomb.
We’re not just talking about a random tip to an FBI hotline; we’re talking about up to a dozen Maine law enforcement officers at multiple agencies who had detailed knowledge of Card’s deteriorating mental health and the specific threats he had made, including against his Army Reserve center in Saco. Multiple cops knew Card was unstable, dangerous, and taking efforts to hide from police.
Yet they made only minimal efforts to ensure that he had no access to firearms. Namely, two visits to his Bowdoin home that failed to establish contact and a few phone calls with his brother. Law enforcement’s handling of the matter is especially concerning considering Maine’s “Yellow Flag” law was crafted to ensure that precisely this situation would never result in such a deadly tragedy.
Whether it’s the Maine State Police, the Maine Attorney General, the Department of Justice, or the U.S. Army, here are the following questions that must be answered in order to restore Mainers’ faith in our institutions and provide a factual basis for any future policy reforms:
1.) After Card was involuntarily committed at Four Winds Psychiatric Hospital in Katonah, N.Y., what communication was made between that facility, the U.S. Army, and Maine law enforcement?
2.) Why did the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) make only two attempts to contact Card from May to Oct. 25? On the occasion when SCSO assessed that Card was hiding in the trailer at his property, why wasn’t a greater effort made to make contact? Why did they rely on Card’s brother to ensure he did not have access to firearms?
3.) Did members of Card’s Army Reserve unit, many of whom are local Maine cops, protect him from closer scrutiny out of loyalty to their fellow soldier?
4.) Why was Maine’s “Yellow Flag” law not used following the disclosure from Card’s family that he was mentally unstable and had access to firearms?
5.) Why was Maine’s “Yellow Flag” law not used after he was involuntarily committed to a psychiatric ward for making violent threats against an Army Base? Did SCSO or other law enforcement agencies ever discuss invoking the Yellow Flag law for Card?
6.) Did the U.S. Army ever consider dishonorably discharging Card for making violent threats against the Army Reserve center and assaulting a fellow soldier?
7.) Why was Maine’s Yellow Flag law not used after soldiers in his Army Reserve unit, many of whom are law enforcement officers, determined that he should not have access to firearms as part of his Army service?
8.) Why are local cops and sheriff’s deputies complaining about a breakdown in communication from the Maine State Police?
9.) When was a K9 unit first deployed to search the scene around Lisbon?
10.) Who is ultimately responsible for the failures of the search and investigation efforts and when will they be resigning?
You all are. I’ve been hang stalked for years by Janet Mills friends report to the FBI and news media hides it!
Janet Mills and her Mafia. Watch Howes News For You on YouTube and see how many times I reported her and the terrorist friends of hers! I am a survivor and the government has been sex trafficking me and my daughter for years to police and politicians COVERED UP BY POLICE AND THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM. ABOLISH THE GOVERNMENT!
All excellent questions. Additionally, what pharmaceutical meds were prescribed? What were the dosages and the potential side effects of those meds? Where was he fitted for those hearing aids? His sister-in-law said he deteriorated rapidly after receiving them. What was the federal governments role in this? Seems suspect every perpetrator of mass shootings in this Country was on pharmaceutical media. Mk Ultra?
Want to know who picked up Robert Card’s body when found. Has autopsy been done? Any drugs found in his body? Where was his “self-inflicting wound” on his body? It has hit Maine Deaf Community really hard. Want full open transparent investigation. Nothing but only truth. We deserve that. Thank you!
Another question is what training law enforcement receives on Yellow Flag. The politicians put these things in effect but apparently don’t train the people they are counting on to implement the law.
You ever notice how when “people hear voices,” they are always telling them to do evil things?
Wouldn’t you think that on occasion the voices would tell them to do good?
You have several questions on Yellow Flag laws, which is good, however the folks asking these other questions bring up excellent points. I will add, please do some investigation concerning the Walmart Dist. Center being closed for so long. I think the man was being used and he was perfect for any nefarious purposes, that are still hidden. Mark 4:22