As residents of Lewiston come together to mourn after a mass shooting left 18 people dead and 13 injured, reports are emerging that reveal the shooter was previously denied the purchase of a gun silencer and had been alerted to law enforcement weeks before the mass shooting.
The individual identified as the gunman, Robert Card, had made an attempt to purchase a firearm suppressor but was unable to do so. This was due to his voluntary disclosure of a prior admission to a mental health institution on a federal form, according to the gun shop owner who spoke with ABC News.
This recent report follows claims that various law enforcement agencies had received warnings about concerning behavior exhibited by the same individual. In September, the Maine National Guard had reached out to local police, expressing concerns that the US Army reservist might “snap and commit a mass shooting,” as reported by CNN. As residents of Lewiston
Efforts to investigate the gunman’s background and history are currently underway. Meanwhile, on Sunday night, thousands of Lewiston residents gathered for a vigil to pay tribute to the victims who tragically lost their lives.
Residents shared with The Independent that their intent was to demonstrate solidarity and support, showing the affected individuals that they are not alone. This act of unity came after the shelter-in-place order was lifted, and the gunman was discovered deceased.