Maine Mass Shooting Victims Sue U.S. Government Over Alleged Negligence
Survivors and victims' families of the October 2023 Maine mass shooting are suing the U.S. government, alleging negligence and missed opportunities to prevent the tragedy despite warnings about the shooter.
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Overview
- Survivors and victims' relatives of the October 2023 Maine mass shooting, which killed eighteen people, have filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government.
- The lawsuit alleges government negligence in preventing the tragedy, specifically citing failures by Army officials and civilian law enforcement to intervene despite warnings about shooter Robert Card's mental health.
- An independent commission and investigation revealed multiple missed opportunities by unit leadership to remove firearms, despite family and fellow reservists reporting Card's delusional and paranoid behavior.
- The legal action highlights the failure to act on clear warnings about Army reservist Robert Card's declining mental state, which could have prevented the deadly attack.
- This lawsuit follows an investigation into unit leadership failures and coincides with the recent implementation of new gun laws in Maine, adding to the ongoing public discourse.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this story by centering the victims' lawsuit, which alleges the Army could have prevented the shooting. They emphasize the Army's alleged negligence and failures, highlighting details like the independent commission's findings and warnings from fellow reservists. This approach collectively builds a narrative of culpability and missed opportunities.
"The lawsuit, filed in federal court on behalf of more than 100 survivors and victims' family members, accuses the U.S. government of negligence, saying its conduct "directly and proximately caused the mass shooting.""
CBS News"The lawsuit, filed in federal court on behalf of more than 100 survivors and victims’ family members, accuses the U.S. government of negligence, saying its conduct “directly and proximately caused the mass shooting.”"
Military Times"The lawsuit filed on Sept. 2 claims Army officials, local police and others were aware of Card's deteriorating mental health and increasingly erratic behavior, and failed to properly intervene."
USA TODAY"The lawsuit, filed in federal court on behalf of more than 100 survivors and victims' family members, accuses the U.S. government of negligence, saying its conduct “directly and proximately caused the mass shooting.”"
ABC NewsArticles (6)
Center (4)
FAQ
The lawsuit alleges negligence by Army officials and civilian law enforcement for failing to intervene despite warnings regarding shooter Robert Card's declining mental health and paranoid behavior, including missed opportunities to remove his firearms.
Robert Card was the shooter in the October 2023 Lewiston, Maine mass shooting. He was an Army reservist reported by family and fellow reservists to have exhibited delusional and paranoid behavior prior to the attack.
The independent commission's interim report found multiple missed opportunities by military unit leadership to act on warnings about Robert Card, particularly failing to remove firearms despite clear signs of his deteriorating mental state.
Eighteen people were killed and thirteen wounded during a spree shooting on October 25, 2023, in Lewiston, Maine. The shooter fired at least 54 rounds from a .308 rifle in about 78 seconds, including inside a bowling alley and a nearby restaurant.
Following the shooting, new gun laws have been implemented in Maine, including discussions around 'red flag' laws, and the lawsuit against the U.S. government was filed, highlighting failures by the Army and law enforcement to prevent the attack.
History
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