The U.S. Army has initiated an investigation into the devastating October mass shooting carried out by former Army reservist Robert Card. On Friday, officials announced that an independent investigation would be conducted by the Army Inspector General to ensure appropriate corrective actions are taken.

The request for an investigation came from Under Secretary of the Army Gabe Camarillo, who sent a letter to Senator Susan Collins. In the letter, Camarillo stated, "The Secretary of the Army has requested the Army Inspector General to conduct an independent investigation to ensure that the Army takes corrective actions where appropriate."

The Army Inspector General promptly instructed her team to begin preparing for the investigation. The formal commencement of the investigation will occur either after the ongoing U.S. Army Reserve investigation is completed or by February 1st, 2024, whichever comes first, according to the letter to Senator Collins.

Following the tragic events in Lewiston, Maine, on October 25th, Senator Collins and Senator Angus King jointly filed a letter in November, urging the Army Inspector General to review the events leading up to the shooting. The state's congressional delegation also submitted a letter on December 8th, requesting an independent investigation separate from the ongoing administrative review conducted under the Army's Suicide Prevention Program regulations.

The congressional delegation expressed satisfaction with the U.S. Army's announcement on Friday, stating, "We are pleased that the Inspector General of the Army has responded to our requests and has begun preparations to conduct an independent investigation into the events preceding the Lewiston shooting."

In October, Card unleashed a burst of violence in Lewiston, targeting Schemengees Bar and Grille and the Just-In-Time Recreation bowling alley. The horrifying incident resulted in the loss of 18 lives and left 13 others injured.

Card was subsequently found dead near a dumpster at a recycling plant in Lisbon, Maine. It is believed that he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.