LEWISTON, Maine – A recent study conducted by the Boston University CTE Center revealed the presence of brain trauma in Robert Card, the Army reservist responsible for a tragic mass shooting in Maine last year. The findings, released by the Card family through the Concussion Legacy Foundation, suggest a potential link between brain injury and the behavioral changes observed in Card leading up to the deadly attack. According to lead researcher Ann McKee, Card displayed signs of traumatic brain injury commonly associated with exposure to weapons blasts.
Card, 40, carried out the mass shooting at a bowling alley and bar in Lewiston in October, claiming the lives of 18 individuals. Prior to the attack, those close to Card noticed a significant shift in his behavior, describing him as erratic and paranoid. Concerns about his mental health were shared with law enforcement in the months preceding the tragedy.
The post-mortem analysis of Card’s brain, conducted at the request of Maine’s chief medical examiner’s office, revealed evidence of degeneration, axonal and myelin loss, inflammation, and small blood vessel injury. However, there were no indications of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease commonly associated with repeated head trauma. McKee noted that the observed damage aligns with previous studies on the effects of blast injuries in humans and experimental models.
Despite never serving in combat deployments, Card, a longtime Army Reserve member, worked as an instructor at an Army hand grenade training range where he was likely exposed to numerous low-level blasts. Zubair Ahmed, a neuroscience professor at the University of Birmingham, explained that blast injuries can have severe impacts on various areas of the brain responsible for regulating emotions and behavior, potentially leading to aggression, impulsivity, and violence.
Card’s family shared the report’s findings in hopes of preventing similar tragedies and raising awareness of traumatic brain injury among military personnel. Their statement expressed deep remorse for the victims and their families, acknowledging the devastation caused by Card’s actions. The family also mentioned their ongoing support for research related to brain injury and emphasized the importance of understanding how such damage can affect mental health and behavior.
In response to growing concerns about blast injuries, the Army has faced pressure to investigate the risks associated with such exposure. Recent initiatives have focused on developing tools to help service members protect themselves from the effects of high-pressure shock waves generated during training exercises involving heavy weapons. The tragic event involving Card has underscored the importance of continued research and preventive measures in addressing the potential impacts of brain trauma on individuals’ mental health and behavior.