Gideon Asen and Partners File Landmark Federal Lawsuit in Lewiston Mass Shooting Tragedy

This morning, Gideon Asen together with co-counsel, filed a landmark federal lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Maine on behalf of more than 100 survivors and families of victims of the October 25, 2023, Lewiston mass shooting. The suit seeks accountability from the United States government for its failure to prevent one of the deadliest tragedies in Maine’s history.

The Lawsuit

The plaintiffs allege that the U.S. Army, the Department of Defense, and Keller Army Community Hospital ignored urgent and repeated warnings that Army Reserve Sergeant Robert Card posed an imminent danger to the public. Despite explicit threats, escalating mental illness, and access to military-grade firearms, federal authorities failed to act. The complaint contends that these failures directly enabled the massacre that claimed 18 lives and injured dozens more.

The case is rooted in several core allegations of misconduct:

• Foreseeability of Violence: The Army has long recognized the unique risks posed by service members suffering from mental illness, especially those with access to weapons. Card had openly threatened to commit a mass shooting and was known to be unstable, yet the Army failed to intervene.
• Effects of Blast Exposure: Years of Army research demonstrated the link between repeated blast exposure and the onset of mental illness. Card’s military duties likely contributed to his rapid decline, heightening his risk of violence without treatment.
• Broken Promises to Protect: The Army assured Card’s family, medical providers, and local law enforcement that it would monitor him, provide treatment, and separate him from his firearms. Those promises were broken, leaving the community vulnerable.
• Violation of Orders and Policies: Despite its own regulations and specific orders, the Army failed to escalate warnings, retain jurisdiction over Card, or use available reporting systems to restrict his access to firearms. These failures represent profound breaches of duty.

The Human Cost

Behind these legal arguments are shattered families and lives permanently altered. Cynthia Young, who lost both her husband William and their 14-year-old son Aaron at the Just-In-Time bowling alley, spoke at today’s press conference:

“We trusted those in power to protect our loved ones, and their inaction cost us everything. No family should have to endure this heartbreak when so many warning signs were ignored.”

Her words echo the anguish of dozens of survivors who continue to live with trauma, disability, and grief nearly two years after the tragedy.

Quotes from Counsel

The coalition of law firms emphasized that this lawsuit is about accountability, justice, and preventing future tragedies:

• Attorney Benjamin Gideon: “It’s disappointing that after the Army’s failures to keep us safe, the federal government has not responded to our administrative demand. If the Army does not accept accountability here, where it knew its soldier had severe mental illness, had access to weapons, and was warned in advance he planned to commit a mass shooting, then it’s hard to imagine it ever doing so voluntarily.”
• Attorney Travis Brennan: “The Army repeatedly broke its promise to protect the community that it pledges to defend and must be held responsible. Despite every possible warning raised by Card’s behavior, the Army failed at every turn.”

These statements underscore the central theme of the case: without accountability, systemic failures will persist, and the risk of future tragedies remains unacceptably high.

Why This Case Matters

The Lewiston lawsuit is more than a claim for damages. It represents a demand that federal institutions honor their duty to protect the public when warning signs are clear and imminent. The plaintiffs seek recovery for wrongful deaths, physical injuries, and emotional harm—but also reforms to ensure that no community suffers a similar fate.

The case is expected to set important precedent in holding the U.S. government accountable for its role in mass shootings involving service members. By laying bare the Army’s knowledge, promises, and failures, the lawsuit seeks to change how the military handles threats posed by soldiers with severe mental illness.

Gideon Asen’s Role

As a firm dedicated to representing clients in life-altering cases, Gideon Asen is proud to stand with the families and survivors of Lewiston. This case exemplifies our mission: to deliver elite advocacy when lives and communities have been irreparably harmed. Together with our co-counsel, we will relentlessly pursue justice in federal court.

Our work on this lawsuit reflects not only legal advocacy but also a commitment to amplifying the voices of victims and survivors who have endured immeasurable loss. For them, this case is not only about accountability, it is about honoring loved ones lost and protecting future generations.

Conclusion

The filing of today’s lawsuit marks an important step in the long pursuit of justice for Lewiston. For the victims’ families, it is a chance to demand answers after months of silence. For the community, it is a call to ensure that the failures that enabled this tragedy are never repeated. And for Gideon Asen, it is a solemn duty to fight for life-changing results when lives have been devastated.

As this case unfolds, our firm will remain steadfast in its advocacy. We are honored to represent these families, and we will not rest until justice is served.

Link to Official Summary

Read the Full Lewiston Case Executive Summary Here