Lewiston Tragedy: Victims Demand Army Accountability

Soldier in camouflage uniform standing before American flag

Maine mass shooting survivors are suing the U.S. Army for allegedly ignoring explicit warnings about Army Reservist Robert Card’s deteriorating mental health and homicidal threats, calling it “one of the most preventable mass tragedies in American history.”

Story Highlights

100 survivors and families filed claims against the Army for failing to act on Card’s documented “hit list” and homicidal ideations
Card killed 18 people and wounded 13 others at two Lewiston locations on October 25, 2023
Army has six months to respond before formal lawsuit can proceed in federal court
Case could set major precedent for military accountability in mass shooting prevention

Army Ignored Clear Warning Signs

Robert Card’s mental health deteriorated dramatically in the months before the shooting, with colleagues and family members repeatedly alerting Army superiors and hospital staff about his paranoid delusions and violent threats. Card had created a “hit list” and expressed homicidal ideations, yet the Army failed to disarm him or restrict his access to firearms. Despite these explicit warnings about an imminent threat, military officials allowed Card to retain his weapons and return to civilian life without adequate intervention or monitoring.

Deadliest Attack in Maine History

On October 25, 2023, Card launched his assault at 6:56 PM at Just-In-Time Recreation bowling alley, killing seven people before moving to Schemengees Bar & Grille at 7:07 PM, where he murdered ten more victims. Using a .308 rifle, Card injured 13 additional people during the rampage across both locations. The attack prompted a massive manhunt lasting two days before Card was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, leaving behind Maine’s most devastating mass shooting.

Federal Lawsuit Challenges Military Accountability

One hundred survivors and relatives of victims have initiated the legal process through four law firms, filing formal notices of claim in September 2025 against the U.S. Army and an Army hospital in New York. The plaintiffs must overcome sovereign immunity protections and demonstrate gross negligence to succeed in their case. Attorneys argue this represents an unprecedented level of institutional failure, with more documented warnings and intervention opportunities than typical mass shooting cases.

The Army now has six months to respond to the claims before a formal lawsuit can proceed in federal court. Legal experts note the strength of the plaintiffs’ case given the extensive documentation of warnings, though overcoming federal immunity remains challenging. The outcome could establish significant precedent for military responsibility in preventing violence by service members with documented mental health crises.

Constitutional and Community Impact

This case raises critical questions about institutional overreach versus individual accountability while highlighting failures that cost innocent lives. The tragedy underscores the importance of proper mental health intervention without compromising Second Amendment rights for law-abiding citizens. For the Lewiston community, this lawsuit represents a path toward justice and systemic reform that could prevent future preventable tragedies.

The legal action may prompt comprehensive reviews of military mental health protocols and firearm access procedures for at-risk personnel. Success in this case could lead to substantial compensation for victims’ families while forcing long-overdue accountability measures within military institutions responsible for public safety.