The recent analysis of the brain of army reservist Robert Card, who carried out a mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine last year, has revealed evidence of traumatic brain injuries that may have influenced his actions. The analysis, conducted by the Boston University CTE Center at the request of the Maine chief medical examiner’s office, showed significant degeneration in the nerve fibers of Card’s brain, as well as inflammation and small blood vessel injury.
Card, who killed 18 people in the shooting, was also found to have been suffering from an acute mental health episode at the time of the attack, during which he began to hear voices and developed paranoid beliefs. His background as a firearms instructor and his work at an army hand grenade training range, where he may have been exposed to blasts, could have contributed to his brain injuries.
The family of Card has publicly apologized for the attack and emphasized that the new findings do not fully explain or excuse his actions. They hope that by publicizing the results of the brain analysis, they can help prevent future tragedies. The family expressed deep sorrow for the victims and survivors of the shooting and thanked lead author Ann McKee for helping them understand Card’s brain damage.
Army officials will be testifying before a special commission investigating the shooting, which is the deadliest in Maine history. The Card family’s release of the brain study findings supports ongoing efforts to understand and prevent similar incidents in the future.
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