Police face special commission to review response to Maine mass shooting – Winnipeg Free Press

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) – A special commission to investigate responsibility for last year's mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, is set to hear police testimony again.

Maine Gov. Janet Mills and state Attorney General Aaron Frey convened a commission to review the events leading up to the Oct. 25 shooting at a bowling alley and restaurant in Lewiston that killed 18 people. The commission listened to the words of the officers. The Sagadahoc County Sheriff's Office and members of the Lewiston and Lisbon police departments are hearing Thursday.

While previous hearings have focused on police encounters with shooter and former Army reservist Robert Card before the killing, Thursday's testimony may focus more on what happened after the shooting. The Lewiston and Lisbon departments responded to the emergency response and search after the shooting.

Card was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after a two-day search, police said. Victims' advocates have highlighted potential missed opportunities to prevent the shootings in previous weeks, as they have been warned of Card's deteriorating mental health and potential for violence.

The meeting with Lewiston and Lisbon police was a late addition to the panel's schedule, independent commission officials said. A session with Maine State Police scheduled for next week is still on the calendar, commission spokesman Kevin Kelly said.

“A previously scheduled meeting with Maine State Police officials is still scheduled for next week, Thursday, February 15,” Kelly said. “This meeting has been added to the schedule.”

The commission is expected to examine potential missed opportunities to prevent shootings and issue a written report in the coming months. Members of the Sagadahoc Sheriff's Office previously told the commission they have had trouble enforcing the state's yellow flag law, which allows for the confiscation of a gun from someone in a mental health crisis.