Sister of Lewiston Mass Shooting Victim Sues US Government

Lawsuit claims the tragedy could have been prevented by the US Army months earlier.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 5:37pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up photograph of a single spent bullet casing on a dark background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the aftermath of gun violence.A lawsuit alleges the US government failed to stop a mass shooter, leading to a preventable tragedy.Lewiston Today

Bobbi Nichols, the sister of Tricia Asselin who was killed in the 2023 Lewiston mass shooting, has filed a lawsuit against the United States government. The lawsuit alleges that the US and its agencies caused the preventable tragedy by failing to stop the shooter, Robert Card, months before the attack.

Why it matters

This lawsuit represents a growing trend of victims' families seeking accountability from authorities for failing to prevent mass shootings that they claim could have been stopped. It highlights ongoing debates around gun violence, mental health, and the role of government agencies in public safety.

The details

In the lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court of Maine, Nichols claims the US government and its agencies were aware of the shooter's history and potential for violence, but failed to intervene and stop him prior to the October 2023 attack in Lewiston. The lawsuit alleges the government's negligence directly led to the tragedy that claimed multiple lives.

  • The Lewiston mass shooting occurred on October 25, 2023.
  • The lawsuit was filed by Bobbi Nichols on April 7, 2026.

The players

Bobbi Nichols

The sister of Tricia Asselin, a victim killed in the 2023 Lewiston mass shooting.

Tricia Asselin

A victim killed in the 2023 Lewiston mass shooting.

Robert Card

The perpetrator of the 2023 Lewiston mass shooting.

United States of America

The defendant in the lawsuit, accused of failing to prevent the mass shooting.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This case arises from one of the most preventable mass tragedies in American history — a mass shooting that could and should have been stopped by the United States Army months before Robert Card terrorized Maine on October 25, 2023.”

— Bobbi Nichols, Plaintiff

What’s next

The lawsuit will proceed through the U.S. District Court of Maine, with the government expected to file a response in the coming months.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges in holding government agencies accountable for failing to prevent mass shootings, even when there are claims that they had prior knowledge of the perpetrator's potential for violence.