In a tragic turn of events, a mass shooting took place in Lewiston, Maine, resulting in the loss of 18 lives. The shooter, Robert Card, had been exhibiting concerning behavior for months, with multiple warning signs being overlooked by authorities. Sean Hodgson, Card's best friend and former roommate, had been growing increasingly worried about his friend's anger and paranoia. Recognizing the potential danger, Hodgson made the difficult decision to reach out to their Army supervisor, expressing his belief that Card was on the verge of committing a mass shooting.

Hodgson's text to the Army supervisor, sent on September 15, detailed his concerns about Card's mental state and his access to firearms. Unfortunately, his fears were realized six weeks later when Card carried out the devastating attack at a local bowling alley and bar before taking his own life. It took a two-day search and a regionwide lockdown to locate Card's body in a trailer.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, Hodgson spoke with The Associated Press in an exclusive interview, sharing his anguish and reflecting on the missed opportunities to prevent the shooting. He emphasized that while he couldn't fully understand what was happening in Card's mind, he firmly believed that his warning was justified. "I wasn't in his head. I don't know exactly what went on," Hodgson said. "But I do know I was right."

The signs pointing towards Card's deteriorating mental state had been well-documented. In May, his relatives had alerted the police about his growing paranoia and expressed concerns about his access to firearms. In July, Card was hospitalized in a psychiatric unit for two weeks after an altercation with a fellow reservist and subsequent seclusion in a motel room. Following this incident, the Army deemed him nondeployable and prohibited him from handling weapons while on duty.

Despite these red flags, authorities failed to take decisive action, leading to the deadliest shooting in Maine's history. Hodgson's urgent plea to change the passcode at their Army Reserve training facility and arm themselves if Card were to show up went unheeded. This failure to confront Card has left Hodgson grappling with frustration and disbelief.

Hodgson is now pushing back against an independent report from law enforcement that described him as "over the top" and "alarmist." He vehemently disagrees with this characterization, asserting that he went above and beyond his duty by clearly and explicitly expressing his concerns. "I did my job, and I went over and beyond it, and I literally spelled it out for them," Hodgson stated. "I don't know how clear I could have gotten."

This devastating incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of taking warning signs seriously and intervening when necessary to prevent such tragedies. As the community mourns the loss of innocent lives, questions are being raised about the response to Hodgson's warning and the steps that could have been taken to prevent this horrific event.