Current:Home > ContactVictims of Maine’s deadliest shooting start process of suing the Army -NextFrontier Finance
Victims of Maine’s deadliest shooting start process of suing the Army
View
Date:2025-04-12 22:33:24
LEWISTON, Maine (AP) — Lawyers representing 100 survivors and family members of victims of the deadliest shooting in Maine history have begun the formal process of suing the Army and an Army hospital for failing to act to stop the reservist responsible for the tragedy, attorneys announced Tuesday.
The individual notices of claim say the Army was aware of the reservist’s mental health decline that left him paranoid, delusional and expressing homicidal ideations, producing a “hit list” of those he wanted to attack.
“It is difficult to conceive of a case in which Army personnel could have more warning signs and opportunities to intervene to prevent a service member from committing a mass shooting than what happened in the case of Army Reservist Robert Card,” lawyers wrote in their notices mailed Friday.
The notices of claim by four law firms are a required step in suing the federal government. The Army will have six months to determine whether to respond, after which a lawsuit may be filed.
Eighteen people were killed when the 40-year-old Card opened fire at two locations he’d frequented — a bowling alley and a cornhole league hosted by a bar and grill — on Oct. 25, 2023. Another 13 people were injured. Card was found dead two days later from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
An independent commission appointed by Maine’s governor concluded that there were ample opportunities to intervene by both civilian law enforcement and the Army. For now, lawyers for victims and family and friends who suffered loss are focusing on the Army, and not a private hospital that treated Card or civilian law enforcement.
The Department of Defense, U.S. Army and Army Keller Hospital “broke its promises, failed to act reasonably, violated its own polices and procedures and disregarded directives and orders,” the claim said.
In September 2023, when Card threatened to “shoot up” an armory and his friend warned of “a mass shooting,” the Army failed to provide critical background about two doctors recommending that Card not have access to weapons when it requested that local law enforcement officers check on his well being. Card’s commanding officer even downplayed the threat by undercutting the credibility of the soldier who issued the warning, and by declining to share all information at his disposal, the claims said.
Cynthia Young, whose husband William and 14-year-old son Aaron were killed at the bowling alley, said in a statement that pain and trauma never goes away. “As terrible as the shooting was it’s even more tragic that there were many opportunities to prevent this and they were not taken,” she added.
The filings said there may have been a time when mass shootings were so rare that they couldn’t be predicted but “that has not been true in America for decades.”
“Mass shootings, like what happened in Lewiston, are an epidemic in America. Consequently, those in positions of responsibility and authority are required to appreciate the warning signs and behaviors that telegraph the risk of mass violence, take them seriously, and act to prevent their occurrence,” the claims said.
veryGood! (7811)
Related
- Pregnant Kylie Kelce Shares Hilarious Question Her Daughter Asked Jason Kelce Amid Rising Fame
- Kentucky voters to decide fate of school choice ballot measure
- North Carolina’s top lawyer and No. 2 executive are vying for governor
- Patrick Mahomes survives injury scare in Chiefs' overtime win vs. Buccaneers
- Former Danish minister for Greenland discusses Trump's push to acquire island
- Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul date, time: How to buy Netflix boxing event at AT&T Stadium
- Figures and Dobson are in a heated battle for a redrawn Alabama House district
- Man arrested on suspicion of plotting to blow up Nashville energy facility
- Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
- US Rep. John Curtis is favored to win Mitt Romney’s open Senate seat in Utah
Ranking
- Travis Hunter, the 2
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, As It Stands
- Golden Bachelor’s Theresa Nist Says Relocating Wasn’t the Only Factor Behind Gerry Turner Split
- Pennsylvania is home to 5 heavily contested races for the US House
- Federal Spending Freeze Could Have Widespread Impact on Environment, Emergency Management
- A History of Presidential Pets Who Lived in the Lap of Luxury at the White House
- Mississippi Republican Sen. Roger Wicker is challenged by Democrat Ty Pinkins
- Are schools closed on Election Day? Here's what to know before polls open
Recommendation
Angelina Jolie nearly fainted making Maria Callas movie: 'My body wasn’t strong enough'
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox is expected to win reelection after his surprising endorsement of Trump
Justices who split on an abortion measure ruling vie to lead Arkansas Supreme Court
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, As It Stands
Rams vs. 49ers highlights: LA wins rainy defensive struggle in key divisional game
Abortion and open primaries are on the ballot in Nevada. What to know about the key 2024 measures
Golden Bachelor’s Theresa Nist Says Relocating Wasn’t the Only Factor Behind Gerry Turner Split
Hogan and Alsobrooks face off in Maryland race that could sway US Senate control