Family members of Army reservist Robert R. Card II, who killed 18 people in Lewiston, Maine, last fall, testified before a commission investigating the shooting. They expressed remorse, grief, and anger, apologizing to the victims’ families and sharing the struggles they faced leading up to the tragic event. Nicole Herling, Card’s sister, called for clearer communication systems within the military to address concerns about mental health issues. She also highlighted the need for more education about the risks of brain injury in soldiers like her brother, who was a grenade instructor in the Army Reserve and had been exposed to numerous blasts over the years.
The Army stated its commitment to understanding the effects of brain health and implementing risk mitigation and treatment strategies, including new cognitive testing. The Defense Department did not immediately respond to these remarks. The commission investigating the shooting has been meeting regularly since November, focusing on why interventions by law enforcement and the Army failed to prevent the tragedy. A recent interim report found that there was sufficient probable cause to take Card into custody and seize his weapons before the shooting occurred.
The tragic shooting in Lewiston led to the passing of new gun control laws in Maine, including a waiting period for private gun sales and revisions to the state’s “yellow flag” law. However, a proposed “red flag” law, which would provide a clear path for family members to seek the removal of weapons from individuals with mental health concerns, was not voted on. Family members of Card described their efforts to get him help and alert others about his unstable state. They expressed disappointment with the lack of response from the Army Reserve training center in Maine and the limitations on intervention until explicit threats were made.
After Card was released from a psychiatric hospital in New York, his follow-up care was left to his mother, who was dealing with her own health issues. The family also had to take on the difficult task of seizing Card’s weapons, as the local sheriff’s office believed they were in the best position to do so. However, the commission criticized this decision, calling it an “abdication” of responsibility. Family members testified that they were unaware of threats made by Card to shoot up the Army Reserve base, reported by a fellow reservist, and that the burden of responsibility was unfairly placed on them.
The family members shared their pain, guilt, and shame over their perceived failure to do more to prevent the tragedy. They also expressed gratitude for the community’s support and kindness during their difficult time. As they struggled to navigate their emotions and recount their experiences, they extended prayers to the families who lost loved ones in the shooting. The testimonies shed light on the complexities of mental health issues in the military and the challenges faced by families trying to intervene and seek help for their loved ones.
