In a tragic incident that rocked the community of Lewiston, Maine, a U.S. Army reservist opened fire at a bar and bowling alley, leaving 18 people dead and 13 injured. Recent revelations now indicate that concerns about the shooter's deteriorating mental health and access to firearms were raised several months prior to the massacre.

According to reports, the family of the shooter had contacted the local sheriff's office five months before the tragedy, expressing deep concerns about his mental state and revealing that he had access to at least 10 firearms. A second report surfaced in September when the shooter's Army Reserve unit requested a "wellness check" on him after he exhibited alarming behavior and made threats.

The Army Reserve unit, based in Saco, informed the Sagadahoc County Sheriff's Office that the shooter had reported hearing tormenting voices accusing him of pedophilia and mocking the size of his penis. He allegedly expressed intentions to "shoot up" the Saco drill center and other locations. Disturbingly, a fellow soldier, who was familiar with the shooter, expressed fears that he might carry out a mass shooting.

Despite these warning signs, tragedy struck on October 25 when the shooter carried out the devastating attack in Lewiston. After a two-day manhunt, he was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a trailer at his workplace, a recycling plant.

The Army spokesperson, Ruth Castro, stated that the Reserve unit had contacted the sheriff's office out of an abundance of caution, as they were genuinely concerned about the shooter's safety. The Army had already deemed him "non-deployable" due to concerns over his well-being and restricted him from handling Army guns.

The incident has once again raised questions about gun regulations in Maine, where firearms are lightly regulated, and no permit is required for purchase or carrying firearms. However, the state implemented a "yellow flag law" in 2022, allowing police to seek temporary gun seizure from individuals deemed by medical professionals to be a danger to themselves or others.

The tragedy also highlights the limits of a 2022 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that recognizes an individual's constitutional right to carry firearms in public. The shooter's ability to carry out such a massacre despite concerns about his mental health and reported threats has renewed discussions about the effectiveness of current regulations.

The Sagadahoc County sheriff's office has defended its actions, stating that they followed standard procedures for conducting wellness checks and were in communication with the shooter's Army Reserve unit and family. The office attempted to visit the shooter twice in September but received no response.

As the community of Lewiston mourns the loss of innocent lives, this unsettling incident serves as a reminder of the crucial need to address mental health concerns and carefully evaluate firearm regulations to prevent future tragedies.