Testimonies from Additional Victims to be Heard by Commission on Maine’s Mass Shooting – Sky Bulletin
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Members of a commission inquiring into Maine’s worst mass shooting are set to receive further testimonies from victim’s relatives. The independent body, tasked with examining the events and responses related to the Oct. 25 incident, will continue its investigation with a new hearing.
The established by Democratic Gov. Janet Mills commission is delving into the circumstances that led to the deaths of 18 individuals at a Lewiston bowling alley and restaurant. Composed of ex-judges and prosecutors, the commission is also looking into the reactions of the police to the episode.
At an earlier session, victims expressed their grievances regarding the missed chances to confiscate firearms from the assailant, Robert Card, before his devastating attack. Kathleen Walker, a bereaved widow whose husband died attempting to overpower the shooter, denounced the systemic failures, emphasizing the need for change.
The hearing planned for Monday in Lewiston will feature more accounts from the victims. Kevin Kelley, who speaks on behalf of the commission, explained that the intention is to listen to those affected by the mass shooting. The commission aims to compile a detailed report from these findings.
Robert Card, a 40-year-old Army reservist, concluded his life following a pursued manhunt after the incident. In the lead-up to the massacre, police and the military had received clear indications of Card’s declining mental condition.
Card’s erratic behavior, corroborated by the concerns voiced by his relatives over his firearm accessibility, reveals a traumatizing narrative. Subsequent to serious altercations and unsettling predictions about his potential for violence, the hearings will probe into the failures to avert the tragedy.
Thursday’s upcoming hearing in Augusta will bring U.S. Army personnel before the commission, with specifics on participation to be disclosed on the day, according to Kelley. This session will mark the seventh assembly by the commission and is presently the last planned meeting to discuss the matter.
Prior testimonies have seen law enforcement defend their management of Card prior to the shootings, citing difficulties with the state’s yellow flag law in disarming individuals. In response to the event, Maine Democrats, including Governor Mills, are pushing for legislative amendments to empower law enforcement in preventing such future crises.
Moreover, proposals for a 72-hour waiting period for most gun purchases are being advanced by other state Democrats. These initiatives are expected to stir an intense debate in a state where the right to bear arms is particularly safeguarded.
The forthcoming testimony from additional victims and the anticipated report from Maine’s commission promises to be crucial in the evolving discourse on gun control and mental health intervention. As Maine grapples with the aftermath of its gravest mass shooting, the hearings underscore an urgent call for systemic reform to prevent such tragedies. Lawmakers and concerned citizens alike await the input from the commission and subsequent policy proposals with the hope of ensuring a future where incidents like the Lewiston shooting become relics of the past.
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