Family of Lewiston shooter share details of behavior changes, dealings with law enforcement

Nicole Herling, sister of Robert Card II, testifies beside her husband before the Independent Commission to Investigate the Facts of the Tragedy in Lewiston on May 16. (Screenshot)

The names of the 18 victims of the Oct. 25 mass shooting in Lewiston hang on the wall of James and Nicole Herling’s house. They are also outside their home, so they see them every day as they come and go. 

“Our family will never forget your names,” James said, through tears. He added that they are “tremendously sorry” for the pain caused to victims’ families and other survivors.  

The Herlings gave an emotional testimony before the Independent Commission to Investigate the Facts of the Tragedy in Lewiston Thursday morning detailing the steps they took as relatives of shooter Robert Card II to try to get him help for his declining mental health. The family also shed more light on their interactions with law enforcement prior to and after the shooting. 

The family previously spoke with the commission in a private meeting, but this was the first time they came forward publicly. 

Although the tragedy took place on Oct. 25, James said it really started for the family in early 2023. He watched as his wife, Nicole, spent hours trying to get information to help her brother from mental health professionals, the U.S. Army Reserves and a hearing aid specialist. 

Cara Lamb, Card’s ex-wife, also testified before the commission Thursday about the steps she and her son took to address Card’s worsening condition. 

In May 2023, they spoke with someone from the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Department about the changes in Card that their son was noticing. Lamb said the officer was helpful but warned the commission that there needs to be a better answer the next time someone is seeking help for a loved one in distress.

“There’s going to be a next time, in some capacity,” Lamb said. “What’s the answer going to be the next time? What is going to be said to them? Because what was said to us was, ‘There’s only so much you can do.’” 

On the night of the shooting, James said he and Nicole were running errands in the Lewiston-Auburn area, when their daughter’s dance studio called and said they needed to cancel. Once the photo of the shooter was released, Nicole identified the man as her brother, who she called Robbie, and called to tell the police. 

Nicole and James said their whole family fully cooperated with police throughout the investigation, even pointing them to the Maine Recycling facility where Card used to work and was eventually found because they knew he was familiar with the lot and could be hiding there. Card was found dead of a self-inflicted wound two days after the shooting.

If police had listened, James said the manhunt could have ended sooner. James also noted a lack of organization among law enforcement, even asking officers at one point during the search who was in charge and not getting a clear answer. 

Additionally, the family said they did not have police protection after the shooting, despite fears about where Card was or if he would show up at their homes, James told the commission. “Why was my family unable to access just one patrol officer?” he asked.

James also criticized the media for swarming the family’s homes, at times blocking roadways and not respecting their privacy. 

The Herlings shared more information about Card’s traumatic brain injury identified by Boston University CTE Center, which researchers said “likely played a role” in his symptoms and behavior changes. The family said they were told Card’s injury was more severe than those seen in most combat veterans who served in Afghanistan or Iraq. 

Card served in the Reserves as an instructor at a hand grenade range, where he was exposed to thousands of blasts over several years.

“I’ve brought the very helmet that was meant to safeguard my brother’s brain,” Nicole said, holding the camouflaged helmet on the table beside her. “It failed.” 

Card’s family said they want to see enhanced protections against brain injuries for soldiers, even those not in active combat. James said there should be greater support for soldiers like Card because the man he was in the months leading up to Oct. 25 was not the man he knew his brother-in-law to be. 

While making the point that they didn’t want to excuse what Card did, James said he believed “his brain was hijacked.” 

The commission was also scheduled to hear from an official from the Army Reserve Psychological Health Program, but they could not attend due to a scheduling conflict. Commission chair Daniel Wathen, said the interview would be rescheduled. 

In March, the commission released an interim report, which found there was enough evidence for law enforcement to take Card into protective custody and temporarily remove his weapons, but the final report is expected this summer.

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