Photo: Credit: Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office
Updated 10/15/24 4:00 p.m.
LEWISTON, Maine (WBZ NewsRadio) — Lawyers for the survivors and victims' families of the deadly shooting in Lewiston, Maine last year announced Tuesday they have begun the process of suing the U.S. Army, Department of Defense, and a New York military hospital.
During a press conference, a lawyer said "the Army bureaucracy failed Robert Card. The Army bureaucracy failed this state and community, and it failed our clients."
In a legal notice, lawyers accused the Army, Department of Defense, and the Army Keller Community Hospital in West Point, N.Y. of negligence by failing to properly recognize mental health disturbances in gunman Robert Card.
Card killed 18 people and injured many others on Oct. 25, 2023, at Schemengees Bar & Grille Restaurant and Just-In-Time Recreation bowling alley. After a two-day manhunt following the shooting, Card was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Read More: Family Of Lewiston Shooter Robert Card To Testify On Thursday
Card was an Army Reservist who had a known history of mental health struggles. In July of 2023, Card was hospitalized after his fellow service members in the Army Reserves reported that his behavior during a training exercise was disturbing.
"There were multiple warning signs. There were multiple opportunities for the Army to intervene and yet they failed at every opportunity," a lawyer said.
Cynthia Young was among those to speak at the press conference on Tuesday. She lost her husband, Bill, and son, Aaron during the shooting.
"I pulled my son back for a second hug not knowing it would be the last time I ever saw them," she said.
Liz Seal became emotional when she spoke about her husband Josh, who was one of the victims in the shooting.
"Josh was only 36 when he passed away, but he accomplished a tremendous amount in his short life," she said. "He's not here any more and I'm left with four children who miss their father tremendously."
In a statement, the Army said it "does not comment on ongoing litigation." WBZ NewsRadio has also reached out to the DOD and the Army Keller Community Hospital.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Brooke McCarthy (@BrookeWBZ) reports.
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