Judge Hears Bid to Dismiss Lewiston Shooting Lawsuit

A federal judge in Maine heard arguments over the government’s request to dismiss a lawsuit brought by survivors and relatives of victims of the 2023 Lewiston mass shooting, which killed 18 people and injured 13. The plaintiffs say the Army knew reservist Robert Card was experiencing serious mental health problems, had threatened violence and still had access to firearms, but failed to follow its policies, monitor him adequately or alert Maine authorities. The government argues that decisions about Card’s care and supervision were discretionary judgment calls protected from liability under the Federal Tort Claims Act. The plaintiffs counter that Army policies imposed mandatory duties and say they need the lawsuit to proceed to discover how the Army handled the warnings. The judge has not yet ruled on the dismissal motion.