— More than 100 survivors of the 2023 Lewiston, Maine mass shooting and relatives of the victims filed a federal lawsuit against the United States, alleging the Army failed to intervene as reservist Robert Card’s mental health deteriorated, enabling an attack that killed 18 people and wounded others.
Key Takeaways
- Over 100 plaintiffs are suing the U.S. government in federal court, alleging negligence tied to the U.S. Army’s handling of Robert Card.
- The complaint says by March 2023 officials knew Card was paranoid, delusional, and violent, and knew he had access to guns.
- Plaintiffs allege the Army promised to remove Card’s firearms, failed to follow through, and misled or withheld information from local police.
- Card was hospitalized during July 2023 training in New York; Army Reserve officials later acknowledged no one ensured medication or follow‑up care.
- A fellow reservist warned in September 2023 that Card might carry out a mass shooting.
- Card killed 18 people on October 25, 2023, at a bowling alley and a bar in Lewiston; he was found dead by suicide two days later.
- The Army’s post‑incident review cited leadership failures; three Reserve leaders were disciplined.
- Maine enacted new gun laws after the attack; at least one measure has been paused pending litigation by gun‑rights groups.
Verified Facts
The Lewiston shootings on October 25, 2023, unfolded at a bowling alley and a bar and grill, leaving 18 people dead in Maine’s deadliest mass shooting. A two‑day manhunt ended when Robert Card, an Army reservist identified as the suspect, was found dead by suicide on October 27.
The new lawsuit, filed on behalf of more than 100 survivors and family members, names the United States as defendant and asserts government negligence “directly and proximately caused” the massacre. Plaintiffs describe the tragedy as preventable and contend that Army personnel violated mandatory policies and failed to act on escalating warning signs.
According to the complaint, by March 2023 officials were aware Card exhibited paranoia, delusions, violent behavior, and poor impulse control. The suit says the Army knew he possessed firearms, promised to secure them, and failed to do so. It further alleges Army personnel withheld critical information and misled local law enforcement, hindering interventions that might have separated Card from weapons.
Card’s mental health crisis prompted a July 2023 hospitalization in New York during a training rotation involving West Point cadets. Army Reserve officials later acknowledged that no one ensured he took prescribed medication or complied with follow‑up care upon returning to Bowdoin, Maine. A fellow reservist texted in September 2023 a warning that Card might “snap” and commit a mass shooting.
An independent commission appointed by Maine’s governor concluded there were multiple missed opportunities for both Army officials and civilian law enforcement to intervene prior to the attack. Separately, the Army’s own review — described by then‑Army Reserve chief Lt. Gen. Jody Daniels — found “a series of failures by unit leadership.” Three Reserve leaders were disciplined for dereliction of duty. The Army said it would review findings and implement changes to prevent similar events.
Context & Impact
Plaintiffs’ attorneys began the process of suing the federal government less than a year ago by filing notices of claim — a prerequisite in many federal tort actions. They plan to release additional details at a Wednesday news conference in Lewiston.
The case could test how far federal liability extends when service members exhibit serious mental health concerns and pose risks to the public. Outcomes may influence protocols for coordinating between military commands and local police, especially regarding access to firearms and compliance with treatment plans.
In Maine, the shootings spurred a slate of gun‑policy changes, which remain politically and legally contested. Gun‑rights advocates have challenged parts of the new laws, and a judge has paused at least one measure while litigation proceeds.
Official Statements
Our review identified a series of leadership failures. The Army is committed to acting on the findings to prevent future tragedies.
U.S. Army Reserve
Unconfirmed
- The specific statute(s) under which the lawsuit was filed (e.g., FTCA) have not been confirmed in the article.
- The case caption, docket number, and full list of defendants were not provided.
- The precise damages sought by plaintiffs were not disclosed.
- Details about the three disciplined Army Reserve leaders were not specified.
Bottom Line
Survivors and families argue the Lewiston massacre was preventable and blame federal negligence for missed chances to disarm and treat the shooter. The suit will probe how the Army handled escalating warnings and what responsibility the government bears when a service member poses a known risk.
What happens next could reshape military‑civilian coordination on firearm access and mental health crises — in Maine and beyond.