Families Demand Answers After “Preventable” Tragedy

More than 100 survivors and families of victims killed in Maine’s deadliest mass shooting have filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. government, alleging the Army’s negligence directly caused the October 2023 Lewiston massacre. The 119-page complaint filed Wednesday calls the tragedy “one of the most preventable mass tragedies in American history,” claiming military officials ignored clear warning signs that Army Reservist Robert Card posed a deadly threat to his community.

The lawsuit seeks monetary damages and accountability from the Army, Department of Defense, and Keller Army Community Hospital, alleging they violated their own policies designed to protect the public from mentally ill soldiers. This case could set important precedent for military responsibility in preventing mass violence by service members.

The Devastating Attack That Shook Maine

On October 25, 2023, Robert Card, a 40-year-old Army Reservist and certified firearms instructor, opened fire at a bowling alley and bar in Lewiston, killing 18 innocent people and wounding 13 others. The rampage sent the state into lockdown during a two-day manhunt that ended when Card was found dead by suicide.

The attack traumatized Maine’s tight-knit communities and sparked intense scrutiny of the warning signs that preceded the violence. An independent commission later concluded there were “numerous opportunities for intervention” by both Army officials and civilian law enforcement as Card’s mental health deteriorated.

Warning Signs the Army Allegedly Ignored

A Pattern of Concerning Behavior

According to the federal complaint, the Army had extensive knowledge of Card’s deteriorating mental state months before the shooting. By March 2023, military personnel allegedly knew Card was “paranoid, delusional, violent, and lacked impulse control” while having access to firearms.

The lawsuit details several critical warning signs that went unaddressed:

• May 2023: Card’s son reported his father’s erratic behavior and mental health decline
• July 2023: Card was hospitalized for two weeks in a psychiatric unit after a confrontation with another reservist during training at West Point
• September 2023: A fellow reservist sent the chilling text: “I believe he’s going to snap and do a mass shooting”

Military Protocols Allegedly Violated

The complaint alleges the Army failed to follow its own mandatory procedures for handling mentally ill soldiers. Maine Public reported that Army officials violated “policies, regulations and orders” specifically designed to protect communities from soldiers with mental illness.

Military investigations found that Card’s unit failed to conduct required assessments and didn’t properly communicate threats to local law enforcement. Three Army Reserve leaders were later disciplined for dereliction of duty.

The Brain Injury Connection

Repeated Blast Exposure

Card worked as a grenade range instructor, exposing him to “thousands of low-level blasts” throughout his military career. The Concussion Legacy Foundation and medical experts who analyzed Card’s brain posthumously found evidence of severe traumatic brain injury.

The lawsuit argues the Army knew from extensive research that repeated blast exposure can cause brain injuries manifesting as “paranoia, aggression and violent ideation.” This knowledge should have prompted additional monitoring and intervention for Card and other at-risk soldiers.

Legal Precedent and Similar Cases

The law firms representing the Maine families have successfully handled similar military negligence cases. National Trial Law previously represented survivors of the 2017 Sutherland Springs, Texas church shooting, where an Air Force veteran killed 26 people. The federal government was found partly liable in that case, leading to a settlement after years of litigation.

Maine attorney Travis Brennan emphasized the significance of this case: “The Army repeatedly broke its promise to protect the community that it pledges to defend and must be held responsible.”

What the Families Are Seeking

Justice and Accountability

The 100 plaintiffs are seeking:

• Monetary damages for wrongful deaths and physical injuries
• Compensation for emotional trauma and suffering
• Medical expenses and ongoing care costs
• A bench trial to establish military accountability
• Systemic changes to prevent future tragedies

Systemic Reform

Beyond financial compensation, the families want the lawsuit to force meaningful reforms in how the military handles mentally ill service members. Attorney Benjamin Gideon noted, “It’s hard to imagine the Army ever accepting accountability without being forced to do so in court.”

The Broader Impact on Gun Laws

The Lewiston shooting prompted new gun legislation in Maine, a state with strong hunting traditions and gun ownership culture. The new laws remain contentious nearly two years after the tragedy, with ongoing legal challenges from gun rights advocates.

The case also highlights the effectiveness of Maine’s “yellow flag” law, which allows law enforcement to confiscate firearms from people deemed dangerous. Despite clear warning signs, this tool was never used to remove Card’s weapons.

Government Response and Next Steps

The Department of Defense, Army, and Keller Army Community Hospital have declined to comment on the pending litigation. The families first filed legal notices in October 2024, giving the government time to respond before pursuing formal court action.

Army officials have previously stated they are “committed to reviewing the findings and implementing sound changes to prevent tragedies like this from recurring.”

The Path Forward: Demanding Change

This lawsuit represents more than a quest for monetary compensation—it’s a demand for systemic accountability that could prevent future mass violence. The families’ courage in pursuing this case sends a clear message: institutions must be held responsible when their failures cost innocent lives.

As Maine communities continue healing from this preventable tragedy, this legal action offers hope that no other family will endure what they have experienced. The case will test whether our military institutions will truly prioritize public safety over bureaucratic inaction.

The survivors and families deserve answers. More importantly, they deserve justice that creates lasting change to protect all of our communities from preventable violence.