Defense

Army launches investigation into Maine shooter after push from lawmakers

Arthur Barnard, Kristy Strout, father and wife of Arthur "Artie" Strout, Elizabeth Seal, wife of Joshua Seal, Alan Nickerson Jr., who was shot at Schemengees, Tracey Walker, Leroy Walker, wife and father of Joe Walker, meet with U.S. Sen. Angus King alongside their lawyers in King's office, Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023 in Washington. A survivor and family members of those killed in the deadliest mass shooting in Maine history went to Capitol Hill on Thursday to press for an inspector general to obtain answers from the Army about the mental health and hospitalization of a reservist who opened fire. (Brianna Soukup/Portland Press Herald via AP)

The Army will launch an investigation into the shooter who killed 18 people in Lewiston, Maine, in October.

“The Secretary of the Army has requested the Army Inspector General to conduct an independent investigation to ensure that the Army takes corrective actions where appropriate,” Under Secretary of the Army Gabe Camarillo wrote in a letter to Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine). 

“In response, the Army IG has instructed her team to immediately begin preparing to conduct this investigation. The IG investigation will formally commence either upon cessation of the ongoing U.S. Army Reserve investigation or by February 1st 2024, whichever comes first,” the letter continues.

The Lewiston shooter, Robert Card, was a former Army reservist. His family had contacted the local sheriff’s office earlier in the year regarding concerns about Card’s mental health, which were augmented with his access to firearms.

Collins shared the letter in a press release Friday. The letter follows another from Maine’s congressional delegation asking for the Army Inspector General to investigate and “conduct a comprehensive review of the facts and events leading up to” the shooting a few months ago.”

“We are pleased that the Inspector General of the Army has responded to our requests and has begun preparations to conduct an independent investigation into the events preceding the Lewiston shooting,” the Maine delegation said in the Friday press release.

Collins and Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) also sent a letter in November asking the Army Inspector General to conduct a review “of the facts and events” in the lead-up to the Lewiston shooting. 

The Hill has reached out to the offices of Sens. Collins and King.