The US Army is being sued by the families of those killed in a mass shooting. The families in Maine filed the lawsuit because Robert Card was ignored due to his condition. Card committed a mass shooting, killing 18 people and injuring 13. Families believe the Army was aware of the shooter’s paranoia and homicidal tendencies.
Lawsuits Against Army and Hospital
Lawyers representing survivors and families of the victims are suing the United States Army and Army Keller Community Hospital for negligence in preventing the Maine shooting. Robert Card, an Army reservist, was known to have mental health issues but was still allowed to possess firearms. On October 25, 2023, 18 people were killed and 13 others were injured as a result of the shooting. The legal representatives contend that Army personnel ignored significant warning signs.
Following the tragedy, the affected parties began legal proceedings by submitting notices of claim—a requirement before filing lawsuits against federal agencies. This action requires the United States Army to respond within six months, prolonging the pursuit of justice and accountability for Card’s heinous actions. An independent commission cited previous opportunities for both civilian and military intervention to prevent the shooting.
Maine Mass Shooting Victims Take First Step Toward Suing The U.S. Army | Newsradio 95 WXTK https://t.co/CClT944XSd pic.twitter.com/ckcgWLgrGF
— NewsRadio 95 WXTK (@95wxtk) October 15, 2024
Army’s Alleged Oversight
The claims also allege that the military failed to report Card’s threatening behavior to law enforcement. An internal report revealed Army personnel errors, such as withholding information and underplaying Card’s threats. Furthermore, medical personnel at Keller Army Community Hospital failed to submit the required SAFE Act notice, which could have resulted in preventative measures. These gaps allowed a sequence to continue, resulting in tragedy.
“As terrible as the shooting was, it’s even more tragic that there were many opportunities to prevent this,” said Cynthia Young, whose husband and son were victims.
Despite serious concerns about Card’s mental health, including delusions and paranoia, the Army did not limit his access to weapons. Warnings and threats were largely ignored, resulting in an avoidable disaster that left families facing irreversible losses. The Department of Defense and the United States Army are currently under investigation for allegedly violating procedural policies, sparking a national debate about the importance of taking mental health warnings seriously.
Maine Mass Shooting Victims Take First Step Toward Suing The U.S. Army | News Talk 550 KFYI https://t.co/3vnyZyX6ta pic.twitter.com/qi3v5KRDeZ
— NewsTalk 550 KFYI (@KFYI) October 15, 2024
Persistent Concerns
Recent investigations revealed that Card’s unit failed to follow procedures after an altercation, resulting in his hospitalization for psychosis and homicidal ideations. Despite these warning signs, Card was released without a risk-mitigation strategy, effectively holding institutions accountable for perceived negligence. The ongoing lawsuits demonstrate a growing demand for responsible mental health treatment in the military.
“It is difficult to conceive of a case in which Army personnel could have more warning signs and opportunities to intervene to prevent a service member from committing a mass shooting than what happened in the case of Army Reservist Robert Card,” lawyers asserted.
The shooting has highlighted the larger issue of mass shootings in the United States. It emphasizes the importance of authorities being more vigilant and responsive to potential threats posed by people who have documented mental health issues. The ongoing legal actions highlight the importance of timely intervention in preventing similar tragic events in the future.
Sources:
- Survivors and relatives in Maine’s deadliest shooting start the process of suing the Army
- Families of Maine Shooting Victims to Sue Army Over Missed Warnings
