The search for the gunman behind last October’s mass shooting in Maine was chaotic, as described in an after-action report obtained by The Associated Press. The report details how officers rushed to secure the scene where the gunman abandoned his car after killing 18 people in the state’s deadliest shooting. Tactical team leader Nicholas Goodman expressed concern about officers showing up without orders, potentially causing more harm than good. The report also mentioned a near collision between two tactical vehicles, with one group of deputies reportedly smelling of intoxicants.
Cumberland County Sheriff Kevin Joyce stated that an internal investigation had cleared his officers of any wrongdoing and denied claims of intoxication. However, Daniel Wathen, the chairperson of an independent commission investigating the shooting, expressed intentions to address some of the report’s disturbing allegations. The report, partially redacted, was obtained through the state’s Freedom of Access Act and raised concerns about the chaotic response by law enforcement agencies to the shooting incident.
Both the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office and Portland Police Department tactical teams responded to the location where the shooter’s vehicle was abandoned near the Androscoggin River. The Army reservist gunman had killed 18 people and wounded 13 others at a bowling alley and a bar in Lewiston before taking his own life two days later. The commission investigating the shooting has heard testimony from law enforcement officials about the chaotic search and coordination problems that occurred in the aftermath of the shooting.
The Portland report criticized self-dispatching officers who arrived in plain clothes, creating a potentially dangerous situation where officers could have mistaken each other for the suspect. The report highlighted a lack of awareness between tactical vehicles from the Cumberland Sheriff’s Office and Portland police, leading to a situation where officers could have exchanged fire in a wooded area near the abandoned vehicle. The importance of proper communication and coordination among responding agencies is expected to be addressed by the commission during their proceedings.
The aftermath of the mass shooting in Maine has raised concerns about the response and coordination among law enforcement agencies in emergency situations. The chaotic nature of the search for the gunman highlighted in the after-action report has prompted an internal investigation by the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office and calls for further scrutiny by the independent commission. The report revealed instances of officers arriving without orders, potential intoxication, and a lack of awareness between tactical teams, emphasizing the need for better training and coordination in responding to such crises.
As the investigation into the mass shooting continues, the focus remains on addressing the shortcomings and challenges faced by law enforcement during the search for the gunman. The commission investigating the incident will delve into the details presented in the after-action report, aiming to identify areas for improvement in handling similar emergencies in the future. The lessons learned from the chaotic search for the gunman in Maine will hopefully lead to better preparedness and coordination among responding agencies to ensure a more effective and efficient response in preventing such tragedies in the future.
