Army Reservist in Maine Mass Shooting had Evidence of Traumatic Brain Injuries, Analysis Shows
In a shocking revelation, researchers from Boston University have found significant evidence of traumatic brain injuries in Robert Card, the Army reservist responsible for a mass shooting that claimed the lives of 18 people in Maine last year. According to Dr. Ann McKee of Boston University’s Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) Center, the brain tissue analysis revealed degeneration in the nerve fibers responsible for communication between different areas of the brain, as well as inflammation and small blood vessel injury. While it cannot be definitively stated that these findings directly caused Card’s behavioral changes, it is highly likely that his brain injury played a role in his actions.
Apologies from Card’s family members were also included in the statement released alongside the analysis, expressing their heartfelt sorrow for the victims, survivors, and their loved ones. The release of this information comes ahead of army officials testifying before a special commission investigating the deadliest mass shooting in Maine’s history. Governor Janet Mills established the commission, comprised of former judges and prosecutors, to review the facts surrounding the October 25 shootings that occurred at a bowling alley and a restaurant and bar in Lewiston. Additionally, the commission will evaluate the police response to the shootings.
Prior to the tragic incident, Card’s deteriorating mental health was brought to the attention of both the police and the Army. Relatives of the 40-year-old reservist warned law enforcement about his paranoid behavior and expressed concern about his access to firearms. Body camera footage from police interviews with other reservists also revealed their worries and alarm over Card’s behavior and noticeable weight loss during his hospitalization in upstate New York in the summer before the shooting.
Card’s mental state further raised concerns when he shoved a fellow reservist and barricaded himself in a motel room during training, resulting in hospitalization in July. A fellow reservist, in September, informed an Army superior that he feared Card would eventually “snap and do a mass shooting.” Tragically, Card was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after an extensive search, marking a somber milestone in Maine’s history. In the aftermath of the shooting, victims’ families, politicians, gun control advocates, and others criticized law enforcement for missed opportunities to intervene and remove guns from Card. The state’s mental health system has also come under scrutiny.
The hearing in Augusta, scheduled for Thursday, will be the seventh and final one for the commission. Commission chair Daniel Wathen acknowledged the immense tragedy faced by the victims and their families during a hearing earlier this week, expressing his hope that an interim report could be released by April 1. Wathen further emphasized the significance of the commission’s hearings in unraveling the complex case.
During previous hearings, law enforcement officials defended their approach to dealing with Card in the months leading up to the shootings. Members of the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office explained how the state’s yellow flag law posed challenges when attempting to disarm potentially dangerous individuals. However, Democrats in Maine are now advocating for changes to the state’s gun laws following the incident. Governor Mills aims to modify state law to allow law enforcement direct access to a judge for obtaining protective custody warrants to disarm dangerous individuals. Other proposed changes include implementing a 72-hour waiting period for most gun purchases. Gun control advocates have also rallied for gun safety in Augusta.
Nacole Palmer, executive director of the Maine Gun Safety Coalition, stressed the urgency of addressing gun violence as a significant public health emergency. Palmer believes that a combination of meaningful gun safety reforms and increased investment in public health initiatives will best ensure the safety of communities throughout Maine and beyond.
As the investigation and hearings continue, it is clear that this tragic mass shooting has left a lasting impact on Maine and ignited important conversations around mental health, gun control, and public safety. The hope is that through these discussions, meaningful changes can be enacted to prevent similar incidents in the future.
