A year after an Army reservist perpetrated a mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, lawyers representing survivors and families of the victims are pursuing negligence claims against the federal government. The claimants, who are serving notices of their intent to sue the Defense Department, the Army, and a hospital in New York, allege that they failed to respond to warning signs and threats made by the gunman before the attack. The legal action, involving 100 individuals, is not a class-action case. Key reports have highlighted missteps by the military, law enforcement, and hospital staff that may have prevented the shooting. It was found that the gunman had exhibited signs of psychosis and homicidal ideation before the attack. The Army failed to follow procedures after earlier incidents involving the shooter, and leaders did not take necessary steps to reduce the threat he posed to the public. Despite warnings from mental health providers, the gunman was released back into the community without adequate care or supervision. Investigators also noted potential brain injuries from the gunman’s military service. The motive for the shooting remains unclear, but the legal action seeks accountability and justice for the victims and their families. The U.S. has six months to investigate the claims before lawsuits may proceed in federal court if they are denied or not acted upon. Despite the tragedy, efforts to prevent future incidents have been stymied by missed opportunities and failures to address the gunman’s mental health and threats he made.
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