Portland, Maine - Disturbing footage obtained by the Portland Press Herald and shared with The Associated Press sheds light on the concerns expressed by law enforcement in the weeks leading up to the deadliest mass shooting in Maine's history. The video shows a call between Sagadoc County Sheriff's Sgt. Aaron Skolfield and Army Reserve Capt. Jeremy Reamer, discussing the potential threat posed by Army reservist Robert Card, who went on to kill 18 people in a bowling alley and a restaurant on October 25.

During the call, Skolfield raised the issue of Maine's yellow flag law, which could have been utilized to remove guns from individuals deemed potentially dangerous. Reamer expressed his apprehension, stating that he did not want to risk officers' safety by escalating the situation further. His concern was that taking action against Card could "throw a stick of dynamite on a pool of gas."

In a separate blurred video, an officer is seen at the home of Robert Card Sr., attempting to verify if the shooter's brother, Ryan, possessed any firearms. Card Sr. claimed not to have had any recent communication with Ryan and expressed his desire to ensure that his son, Robert, did not engage in any harmful actions.

Robert Card's body was discovered two days after the shooting, having suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Investigations later revealed that Card had spent time in a psychiatric hospital prior to the attacks and had amassed an arsenal of weapons.

The yellow flag law in Maine enables officers to visit individuals based on a warning and assess whether temporary protective custody is necessary, potentially leading to a 14-day weapons restriction with a court's approval. The law has come under scrutiny since the shooting, with questions arising as to why it was not used in Card's case.

The newly released videos suggest that the Card family had taken upon themselves the responsibility of removing the firearms. Skolfield mentioned reaching out to one of Card's brothers to confirm that all weapons had been confiscated. He also emphasized the need to maintain discretion and omitted sharing the information of the police visit on the radio to avoid public attention.

Sheriff Joel Merry's report, released last week, highlighted that local law enforcement had been aware of Card's deteriorating mental health. Reports indicated that he suffered from paranoia, auditory hallucinations, episodes of psychosis, and suggested a possible diagnosis of schizophrenia.

In response to this tragedy, Democratic Gov. Janet Mills has appointed an independent commission to thoroughly review all aspects of the incident, led by a former state chief justice. Additionally, Maine's congressional delegation announced an independent Army inspector general's investigation to assess the Army's actions, supplementing the ongoing administrative Army investigation.

The release of these videos has sparked renewed discussions regarding the handling of potential threats, mental health awareness, and the enforcement of firearm restrictions. As the investigation continues, communities across Maine mourn the loss of the victims and seek answers to prevent such tragedies in the future.