Lawyers representing survivors and victims' families from Maine's deadliest mass shooting have initiated a lawsuit against the U.S. Army and Keller Army Community Hospital, citing negligence in the lead-up to the tragedy.

The shooting, which occurred on October 25, 2023, resulted in 18 deaths and 13 injuries at a bowling alley and a bar hosting a cornhole league.

Cynthia Young, who lost her husband and son in the shooting, emphasized the ongoing trauma and the missed opportunities to prevent the tragedy, stating that the pain is compounded by ignored preventable measures.

The lawsuit argues that mass shootings have become an epidemic in America, necessitating a serious response from authorities to recognize and act on warning signs of potential violence.

An independent commission found that both the Army and civilian law enforcement had multiple opportunities to intervene in the case of Robert Card, who exhibited severe mental health issues prior to the shooting.

Medical staff at Keller Army Community Hospital failed to file a SAFE Act notice, which would have alerted authorities to potential threats posed by Card.

The negligence claims highlight that Card did not receive necessary mental health services and was released without adequate safety measures, despite clear warning signs.

Card's family had warned local law enforcement about his deteriorating mental health, but authorities did not enforce Maine's 'yellow flag' law to confiscate his firearms.

Benjamin Gideon, an attorney for the plaintiffs, stated that the legal action seeks accountability for the worst mass shooting in Maine's history, marking a step toward justice for the victims.

The legal team served a notice to the Department of Defense, the U.S. Army, and Keller Army Community Hospital, initiating a six-month investigation period for these claims.

The claims are supported by testimonies revealing that Card's family warned Army officials about his erratic behavior and access to guns prior to the shooting.

The legal summary outlines critical moments where Army officials allegedly failed to intervene, including concerns raised in spring 2023 and threats reported in September 2023.