Woman whose sister was killed in Lewiston mass shooting sues federal government

The sister of one of the victims of the mass shooting in Lewiston in October of 2023 is suing the U.S. government. Bobbi Nichols of Auburn alleges that the Army could and should have stopped the tragedy.

Nichols witnessed the death of her sister, Tricia Asselin. She was one of 18 people killed at a bowling alley and a bar by U.S. Army reservist Robert Card. Thirteen others were injured.

In her lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Maine, Nichols alleges that the U.S. Army was aware before the shooting that Card's mental health was deteriorating and that he posed a significant risk of violence but officials failed to follow mandatory policies to intervene.

Her attorney, Jeffrey Bennett, says Nichols wants accountability "so that this is prevented in the future because these incidents are absolutely preventable," he says. "There's no question that they're preventable."

Nichols is seeking damages for past and future medical expenses, loss of earning capacity, and emotional distress.

"She suffers daily, she suffers severe pain and anxiety, and at times she is unable to leave her home," Bennett says. "She's frozen."

Bennett says Nichols did not join a separate lawsuit filed against the U.S. government last fall by more than 100 survivors and family members of shooting victims.

The U.S. Army did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

This story is a production of the New England News Collaborative. It was originally published by Maine Public.