Attorneys for 100 survivors and victims’ families of the Lewiston mass shooting are starting the process of suing the military.

The lawyers have served notice of their lawsuit against the Defense Department, the Army, and Keller Army Hospital for failing to respond warning signs and a threat from Army Reserve Sergeant Robert Card.

The group contends the Army failed to follow its own process for reservists who pose a risk, and actively discouraged police from acting on concerns that Card intended to carry out a mass shooting.

The U.S. government will have six months to investigate those claims, and the lawsuit will move forward if the government fails to admit to them.

Card killed 18 people and injured 13 others when he committed mass shootings at two locations – Just-in-Time Recreation and Schemengees Bar and Grille – in Lewiston almost a year ago. Card’s body was found in Lisbon Falls two days later.

Blood Drives

Meanwhile, the Red Cross is partnering with Central Maine Medical Center and Life Flight of Maine to collect blood approaching the one-year anniversary of the shooting.

Life Fight nurse Kayla Jones worked the night of the shooting, and she says they had extra blood, which was essential. “In mass casualty events, the limit of blood capability sometimes is a little shorter,” said Jones. “So, our team loaded up extra units into the fixed wing and it was able to fly down here and have on hand if needed.”

There’s an effort to collect 1,025 units of blood by October 25, which will mark one year since the shooting.

Central Maine Medical Center held a blood drive Monday, with another one scheduled for Friday.