In a recently released interim report, an independent commission tasked with investigating the events leading up to the devastating mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, has highlighted several missed opportunities by law enforcement officials that may have prevented the tragedy. The report emphasizes that while the shooter, Army Reservist Robert Card, was solely responsible for his own actions, law enforcement officials were aware of his deteriorating mental state and failed to intervene.

According to the interim report, the commission found multiple instances where law enforcement officials had sufficient grounds to take Card into custody under Maine's Yellow Flag law, which would have allowed for the removal of his firearms. The report states that local police were aware of Card's mental health concerns, as they had been reported by both his fellow soldiers and family members. However, officials failed to follow up on these concerns.

The report points out that the Sagadahoc County Sheriff's Office sergeant, who conducted a welfare check on Card in September, did not adequately follow up on the information he had about Card's state. The commission states that the sergeant should have initiated the Yellow Flag process based on the reported mental health crisis, assault, and threats made by Card. Instead, the responsibility was shifted to Card's family, who lacked the legal authority to begin the process or seize his weapons.

Furthermore, the commission found that the sergeant did not make sufficient attempts to meet with Card face-to-face or seek assistance from prosecutors or other law enforcement agencies. The Sagadahoc County Sheriff's Office also failed to take the necessary steps to remove Card from custody and initiate the Yellow Flag process, contrary to their own previous findings.

The findings of the independent commission are in direct disagreement with a separate outside review released by the Sagadahoc County Sheriff's Office in December, which claimed they did not have sufficient grounds to take Card into custody or confiscate his guns. The report highlights that a police officer can determine probable cause through the collective knowledge of all law enforcement officers involved in an investigation, and in this instance, there was more than sufficient probable cause for Card to be taken into protective custody.

The interim report also reveals that Card's mental health providers had explicitly recommended measures be taken to remove firearms from his home. However, this crucial information was not reported by his Reserve commander to the Sagadahoc County Sheriff's Office.

The commission's findings shed light on the failures within the law enforcement system, where multiple opportunities to intervene and potentially prevent the mass shooting were missed. The final report from the commission is expected in the coming months.

In order to compile their findings, the commission received extensive electronic records and materials from various law enforcement agencies, emergency communication centers, the U.S. Army, prosecuting attorneys, medical facilities, and local and state government officials. The report underscores the need for a comprehensive review of protocols and procedures to ensure that future threats are addressed promptly and effectively.