Accident – Death – Obituary News :
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The Army encountered obstacles when attempting to use New York’s red flag law to disarm a reservist in the midst of a mental health crisis prior to a tragic mass shooting in Maine. Testifying before an independent commission, Maj. Matthew Dickison, a nurse practitioner, revealed that Robert Card, who was displaying signs of psychosis and paranoia, was evaluated at an Army hospital in July 2023. Dickison concluded that Card was unfit for duty and should not have access to firearms. However, Card was released from a private psychiatric hospital two weeks later, leading to devastating consequences.
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The mass shooting in Maine took place in October, resulting in the loss of 18 lives as Card opened fire at two separate locations. Tragically, Card later died by suicide, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake.
New York’s Red Flag Law and the Challenges Faced
Dickison informed the commission that he had attempted to invoke New York’s SAFE Act to temporarily seize Card’s weapons. However, he abandoned this effort upon realizing that the law only applied to New York residents. Card, a resident of Bowdoin, Maine, was in New York for training when concerns were raised by his fellow reservists about his behaviour.
In a concerning development, a civilian Army medical contractor, Patricia Moloney, declined to testify before the commission. Citing a potential medical malpractice claim, Moloney’s absence raised further questions about the events leading up to the tragic shooting.
Efforts to Prevent the Tragedy
Dickison, who specializes in psychiatry, provided post-hospitalization recommendations to Capt. Jeremy Reamer, the leader of Card’s Army Reserve unit. These recommendations included the confiscation of Card’s personal weapons and ensuring his compliance with healthcare appointments and medication. However, Reamer’s authority was limited to when soldiers were on drill, highlighting the challenges faced in addressing mental health concerns outside of formal military duties.
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Commission’s Findings and Recommendations
The commission’s interim report, issued in March, emphasized the need for law enforcement to take decisive action in cases like Card’s. Both New York’s red flag law and Maine’s yellow flag laws were scrutinized, with the commission urging authorities to enforce existing legislation to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
While Card’s family had agreed to remove his guns, the commission criticized law enforcement’s reliance on the family to address the situation, describing it as an “abdication of responsibility.” The tragic events underscored the need for a more robust and proactive approach to mental health crises within the military and civilian sectors.
(AP)
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