LEWISTON, Maine — A series of missed opportunities to intervene and prevent the deadliest shooting in state history has left Sean Hodgson grappling with the aftermath of the tragedy. His former roommate and fellow U.S. Army reservist, Robert Card, fatally shot 18 people at a bowling alley and a bar in Lewiston before taking his own life. Despite Hodgson’s warnings, authorities declined to confront Card, raising questions about the steps that could have been taken to prevent the massacre.
Hodgson, who had been friends with Card for nearly two decades, felt compelled to take action when he noticed his friend’s mounting anger and paranoid behavior. He sent a text to their Army supervisor in September, expressing his fears that Card was on the brink of a mass shooting. Six weeks later, his worst fears were realized.
The warning signs about Card’s deteriorating mental state had been well-documented, including reports from relatives, hospitalizations, and measures taken by the Army to restrict his access to weapons. Despite this, authorities failed to intervene, and Hodgson feels that more could have been done to help his friend and prevent the tragic outcome.
The Army Reserve, in response to questions about the investigation and Hodgson’s warning, emphasized the need to await the outcome of their own investigation and an independent probe by the Army inspector general. Meanwhile, Sheriff Joel Merry suggested a need for public policy changes and emphasized their transparency in cooperating with the investigation.
Hodgson’s account, in conjunction with law enforcement documents and interviews, sheds light on potential missteps leading up to the attack. Despite facing his own legal challenges, Hodgson maintains that he did everything he could to prevent the tragedy, emphasizing the depth of his friendship with Card and the pain of watching his friend spiral out of control. He hopes that his actions can serve as a reminder of the importance of taking threats seriously and intervening to prevent such devastating outcomes.
Whether the authorities could have done more to prevent the shooting remains a matter for investigation, but the aftermath has left a community reeling from the devastating impact of the tragedy. Card’s actions have left lasting scars, and the questions surrounding the steps that could have been taken to avert the massacre continue to haunt those affected by the tragedy.