The United States Army will open its own investigation into the mass shooter who killed 18 people in Lewiston, Maine, in October, the undersecretary of the Army announced on Friday.
The investigation will be led by the Army's inspector general at the request of Army Secretary Christine Wormuth and will take place either at the conclusion of the Army reserve investigation or on Feb. 1, 2024, whichever comes first. The shooter was an Army reservist at the time of the mass shooting.
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“The Secretary of the Army has requested the Army Inspector General to conduct an independent investigation to ensure that the Army takes corrective actions where appropriate,” Undersecretary of the Army Gabe Camarillo wrote in a letter to Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME). “In response, the Army IG has instructed her team to immediately begin preparing to conduct this investigation."
The investigation into Maine shooter Robert Card, who was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in October, comes nearly two months after he killed 18 and injured 13 others. It also comes after multiple pushes from Maine lawmakers.
“We are pleased that the Inspector General of the Army has responded to our requests and has begun preparations to conduct an independent investigation into the events preceding the Lewiston shooting,” the Maine Congressional Delegation said in a statement. “A thorough investigation into what happened, and what could have been done differently, could help prevent future shootings. This independent review by the Army Inspector General will be an important part of understanding the events that took place before that horrific night. The survivors, families affected, and members of the surrounding communities deserve nothing less.”
The investigation will address concerns over Card's mental health before the shooting and how he was able to access and purchase guns. Reports have claimed Card suffered from serious mental health issues that rapidly advanced, and Card's family had contacted the local sheriff’s office with concerns about Card’s mental health earlier this year.
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Fellow reservists were also concerned about Card's deteriorating mental state and pushed for a welfare check on Card in September. However, Card's company commander said while the Reserve was obligated to take some of those concerns "very seriously," they also needed to take it "with a grain of salt as well," according to ABC News.
Collins and Sen. Angus King (I-ME) have also requested a review “of the facts and events” that led up to the Lewiston shooting in a separate letter to the Inspector General's office sent in November.