Lawsuit Against U.S. Army Grows After DoD Report on Threat Ignorance

Survivors and Families Strengthen Their Case Against the U.S. Army

On September 9, 2025, the Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) released a report that sheds light on shocking failures by the Army to report violent threats. This revelation plays a pivotal role in bolstering the case of survivors and victims' families from the tragic mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, which occurred on October 25, 2023.

According to the report, the Army neglected to file mandatory reports concerning violent threats nearly 50% of the time. This gross oversight has become a critical point in the amended lawsuit against the United States, now incorporating findings from the DoD. The report indicates systemic issues within the Army’s installation law enforcement, which failed to adhere to their own guidelines by not reporting clear threats posed by the individual responsible for the Lewiston shooting, SFC Card. The lack of reporting allowed Card, who threatened mass violence merely six weeks before the tragedy, to remain a danger to the community.

Travis Brennan, an attorney representing the victims, expressed the gravity of these findings: “This report outlines long-standing issues within the Army related to their neglect of reporting violent threats. Had the Army followed their own protocols, they could have prevented an individual with a history of instability and mental illness from having free access to the community.”

The amended lawsuit, originally filed on September 3, 2025, claims the U.S. Army, the Department of Defense, and Keller Army Community Hospital are complicit due to their negligence in addressing explicit warnings about the threat Card posed. The findings from the Inspector General not only highlight failures in the immediate response but also point to a pattern of unaddressed violent threats that have persisted for years.

Benjamin Gideon, another attorney for the families, stated, “This is a monumental development in the case. The DoD has acknowledged systemic failures that directly played a role in the Lewiston tragedy. The Army had multiple chances to intervene but failed, leading to devastating outcomes.”

The acknowledgment from the DoD is seen as a critical indicator for the need for accountability and institutional reform to ensure community safety from future threats.

Additionally, the amended lawsuit calls for urgent changes within the military’s reporting system for violent threats. With the systemic failures highlighted by the DoD, advocates are calling for better protocols to ensure definite lines of communication and an effective response system that can prevent similar tragedies in the future.

The families of the victims are represented by a coalition of four law firms: Berman Simmons, Gideon Asen, National Trial Law, and Koskoff Koskoff Bieder. More than just a legal battle, this case serves as a rallying point for communities seeking justice and reform in the face of violence. The tragic loss endured by the Lewiston victims and their families remains a painful reminder of the consequences of inaction and negligence.

In summary, the recent developments surrounding the DoD report have not only revived the legal claims of the Lewiston mass shooting victims' families but have also propelled a conversation about the necessity for reform within military protocols regarding violent threats. As the case progresses, it will undoubtedly serve as a significant bellwether in terms of accountability among military and defense agencies in the United States.