WASHINGTON D.C., DC — For the families of those impacted by the Lewiston mass shooting, traveling to Washington, D.C. to advocate for an investigation into the Army Reserve, was a huge event with just days of planning.
After an early morning flight and an early first meeting with Representative Jared Golden, the families recounted how they were impacted by the shooting over and over again.
They were doing this because they wanted each of Maine's federal representatives to call for an investigation into the steps the Army Reserve took to investigate the gunman who claimed the lives of their loved ones.
"We're hoping something much larger can come out of this," Leroy Walker whose son Joe Walker was killed at Schemengees Bar, said. "They missed it in the county and the local and in the military."
Along with Leroy Walker, was the widow of Joey Walker, Tracey Walker.
Alan Nickerson, who was shot and survived, was there as well, along with Arthur Bernard, the father of Arthur Strout.
Kristy Strout, the widow of Arthur Strout joined the group, along with Elizabeth Seal, the widow of Joshua Seal, who was a pillar of Maine's deaf community.
"Josh was tremendous, always supporting his kids and his wife, he would do anything for anybody," Elizabeth Seal said. "Really the whole shooting situation just feels like a nightmare. I'm still expecting him to walk through the front door."
Seal said since her late husband was such an advocate for the deaf community, she accepted the offer to go to Washington D.C. to represent the community.
"Getting answers we need through this investigation will help me begin the healing process," Seal said.
The group logged several miles walking through the complex tunnels and streets of the Capitol. For many of these Mainers, it was their first time there.
Approaching each of the lawmaker's offices, the families said they were pleased with what the delegation had to say regarding their support for an investigation.
"I think we will have a conversation about a big investigation," Representative Chellie Pingree said. "As far as I'm concerned, there is a list of things we need to change."
Pingree said she expects talks to happen soon regarding a formal request for an investigation.
Senator Angus King said it was a tough but necessary conversation with the families.
"There's so much we need to do and so much we need to know about how I can help get to the bottom of the Army's conduct during this," King said. "We talked about guns and that's something I'm actively working on."
Senator Susan Collins along with Senator King called for an investigation into the Army, days following the shooting the first week of November. Collins said the conversation was emotional with families.
"We had a very good discussion about the investigation," Collins said. "It appears to me the Army should have triggered either the New York State Red Flag Law or Maine's Yellow Flag law."
Senator Collins and King wrote a letter to the Inspector General back in November calling for the investigation.
In the letter, it was asked if any Army regulations or procedures were enacted on Robert Card, along with any concerns raised by any of Card's colleagues.
A statewide alert was sent to law enforcement in September after Card reportedly made threats against the U.S. Army Reserve base where he trained, according to the Associated Press.
"Concerned" about his behavior in the last couple months Card's family alerted authorities, according to NBC News.
The AP also reported that "a bulletin sent to police shortly after this week’s attack said Card had been committed to a mental health facility for two weeks after 'hearing voices and threats to shoot up' a military base."
On Sept. 15, that deputy received a complaint from the Maine National Guard asking for a welfare check to be made on Robert Card. The Guard noted that Card was making threats to shoot up the Saco National Guard facility.
The deputy went to Card's home but did not locate him there and no car was in the driveway. That deputy filed a missing person's report. In that Sept. 15 report, the deputy flagged "CAUTION OFFICER SAFETY—KNOWN TO BE ARMED AND DANGEROUS" and advised law enforcement to "use extreme caution" when dealing with Card.
On Sept. 16, the deputy returned to Card's home and found a vehicle in the driveway and called for a deputy from Kennebec County, a neighboring jurisdiction, to back him up, and they attempted to contact Card, the incident report said.
The deputy said they could hear Card moving around inside, but he would not come to the door.
"Due to being in a very disadvantageous position we decided to back away," the deputy's report said.
According to that Sept. 15 incident report, that deputy contacted the Army Reserve Center in Saco and was told that Card did not have any of the Reserve Unit's weapons and that they had made arrangements with Card's brother who had "retrieved the personal weapons" from Card.
Capt. Jeremy Reamer, according to the report, told the deputy that Card has previously not answered the door in that manner, and: "After he keeps to himself for a while he will come back out." The deputy wrote in his report that the captain "Thought it best to let Card have time to himself for a bit."
In November, the army sent a press release saying they are working with the Maine Delegation and continue to perform an internal investigation into Card.
The families impacted by the mass shooting made it clear the first step is getting the investigation underway, as the trauma done to them by what many have called an avoidable tragedy, is still causing ripples.
As the families prepared to leave D.C., they met at The White House with the newly formed Office of Gun Violence and Prevention.