In a recently released report, the response of the Sagadahoc County Sheriff's Office to Robert Card's mental health issues was deemed appropriate, given the circumstances, but changes are recommended for future situations. The report, authored by Maine attorney Michael A. Cunniff, suggests enhancing the office's ability to respond to mental health crises by implementing a new mental health liaison program and possibly establishing a multidisciplinary team.
According to the report, Carlton and Schofield, two deputies responsible for reacting to Card's mental health concerns in May and September, carefully evaluated the severity of his psychological problems. They concluded that, although Card appeared to have some mental health issues, he posed no immediate threat to himself or others at the time. Consequently, no grounds were found to justify taking Card into protective custody, seizing his firearms, or initiating any other action under Maine's yellow flag law.
The family's concerns about Card's mental health were primarily based on his behavior in May, during which he exhibited hearing voices, paranoid tendencies, a poor mood, and carrying weapons. Despite these concerns, neither the deputy nor his ex-wife felt they had enough justification to place Card under protective custody, as the circumstances did not indicate an imminent threat to himself or others.
In response to the family's concerns, Carlton reached out to military personnel and urged them to consider providing aid and a psychiatric examination for Card. However, they had no legal grounds to do so.
Fast forward a few months, and Card committed a gruesome mass shooting at Lewiston stores, injuring 13 people before taking his own life. Concerns were raised about the police department's response to the initial red flags and whether they could have done more to prevent the tragic event.
The Sagadahoc County Sheriff's Office stresses that their primary focus will continue to be on supporting the injured and their families and friends while objectively reviewing their policies and implementing changes to reduce the risk of such incidents recurring.
