“Severe Brain Damage Found in Gunman Responsible for Maine’s Worst Mass Shooting”
A recent study conducted by Boston University’s CTE Center has revealed that the gunman responsible for Maine’s worst mass shooting suffered from severe brain damage. Robert Card, the perpetrator of the tragic incident, had a post-mortem analysis of his brain conducted at the request of the Maine Chief Medical Examiner’s Office. The study unveiled significant evidence of traumatic brain injuries at the time of the shootings.
The report, signed by Dr. Ann McKee, the director of the lab at Boston University, stated that Card’s brain exhibited damage to the fibers responsible for communication between different areas of the brain. Additionally, inflammation and small blood vessel injuries were also observed. However, there was no evidence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain disease commonly found in athletes and military veterans who have experienced repetitive head trauma.
Dr. McKee stated that while she couldn’t definitively confirm that the pathological findings caused Card’s behavioral changes, it is likely that brain injury played a role in his symptoms. The lab report indicated that the white matter in Card’s brain had suffered “moderately severe” damage, with some areas completely missing. Furthermore, the tissues responsible for insulating biological circuits appeared as disorganized clumps. Scarring and inflammation were also observed throughout the rest of Card’s brain, indicating repeated trauma.
Dr. Lee Goldstein, a professor of neurology at Boston University who analyzed the brain tissue, explained that the cablelike cells responsible for deep brain communication had lost their protective wrapping and, in some cases, were missing or filled with cellular garbage bags. While Kristen Dams-O’Connor, director of the Brain Injury Research Center at Mount Sinai, did not personally examine Card’s brain or view the scans, she stated that the available descriptions provided compelling evidence that his clinical consequences stemmed from brain injury.
The brain tissue sample was sent to the lab last fall by Maine’s chief medical examiner. At that time, the Army was working to better understand the relationship between “blast overpressure” and brain health effects. Several measures were implemented to reduce soldiers’ exposure, including limiting personnel near blasts. Card, an Army reservist, had been an instructor at a hand grenade training facility and was believed to have been exposed to thousands of blasts during his tenure.
On October 25, Card opened fire at a bar and bowling alley in Lewiston, resulting in the death of 18 individuals and the injury of 13 others. Card was later found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after an intense search. His family, who made the study’s findings public, released a statement expressing their desire to raise awareness about traumatic brain injuries among military service members and encourage further research and support for those affected.
Kristen Dams-O’Connor emphasized the urgent need to address the question of “how much is too much” when it comes to blast exposure, as the safety thresholds remain undefined. Card’s increasingly erratic behavior had been reported to authorities by his family and fellow servicemen over several months prior to the shooting. Despite receiving two weeks of psychiatric treatment in July 2023, there were additional reports of violence and alarming statements involving him before the tragic event occurred.
Dams-O’Connor concluded that the evidence of brain injury suggests a connection between Card’s blast exposure and his subsequent clinical symptoms. The study’s findings prompted Card’s family to issue an apology to the victims and their families, acknowledging that the brain damage doesn’t fully explain or excuse his actions.
The case of Robert Card serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of traumatic brain injuries among military personnel. It highlights the need for increased research, support, and preventative measures to address this pressing issue. By raising awareness and understanding the impact of blast exposure on brain health, we can work towards preventing future tragedies and providing better care for those affected.
Source: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/12/22/maine-mass-shooting-gunman-brain-damage/7020450001/
