Boston University: Maine mass shooter had 'evidence of traumatic brain injury' from exposure to blasts at Army grenade range

Robert Card, who killed 18 in a mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine last year, was reportedly suffering from traumatic brain injuries at the time of the shooting. 

Brain tissue analysis conducted by researchers from Boston University has revealed that the damage was likely caused by "thousands of low-level blasts" he was exposed to at the Army hand grenade training range where Card worked as a reservist. 

Dr. Ann McKee of Boston University’s Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) Center wrote that Card had a degeneration in the nerve fibers that allow for communication between different parts of the brain, as well as inflammation and a small blood vessel injury. The researchers’ analysis was released by Card’s family on Wednesday. 

McKee wrote that "There was no evidence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy." 

"These findings align with our previous studies on the effects of blast injury in humans and experimental models. While I cannot say with certainty that these pathological findings underlie Mr. Card’s behavioral changes in the last 10 months of life, based on our previous work, brain injury likely played a role in his symptoms,"  

The Maine Medical Examiner’s office had requested a post-mortem study of Card’s brain, and Card’s family is allowing further studies on the tissue to support McKee’s research. 

Card’s family expressed their sorrow for the October tragedy, which saw 18 people killed in Lewiston at a bowling alley and restaurant. 

"We want to begin by saying how deeply sorry and heartbroken we are for all the victims, survivors, and their loved ones, and to everyone in Maine and beyond who was affected and traumatized by this tragedy. We are hurting for you and with you, and it is hard to put into words how badly we wish we could undo what happened.  

"While we cannot go back, we are releasing the findings of Robert’s brain study with the goal of supporting ongoing efforts to learn from this tragedy to ensure it never happens again. We thank the Maine Chief Medical Examiner’s office for requesting the brain analysis. We know it does not fully explain Robert’s actions, nor is it an excuse for the horrific suffering he caused, but we thank Dr. McKee for helping us understand his brain damage and how it may have impacted his mental health and behavior. 

"By releasing these findings, we hope to raise awareness of traumatic brain injury among military service members, and we encourage more research and support for military service members with traumatic brain injuries. Our hearts remain with the victims, survivors, and their families," the statement concluded. 

After a multi-day manhunt, Card was found dead in an apparent suicide. 

Maine police had reportedly been tipped off about "veiled threats" from Card in the month before the shooting, with a "statewide awareness alert" being sent in mid-September that cautioned authorities to be on the watch for Robert Card after the firearms instructor and US Army reservist allegedly threatened his base as well as other soldiers. 

A visit was later made to Card's home. He was not seen, and law enforcement moved on. 

"We added extra patrols, we did that for about two weeks. ... The guy never showed up," said Jack Clements, the police chief in Saco, a town where Card had trained at the local Army Reserve base. 

Fellow Army Reserve members expressed concerns over Card around six weeks before the shooting, with one set of text messages sent by Sergeant Hodgson revealing the reservist urging that the code to the gate be changed and servicemembers be armed if Card showed up. 

"Change the passcode to the unit gate and be armed if SFC Card does arrive," the text message to his supervisor in September read. 

"Please. I believe he’s messed up in the head. And threaten the unit other and other places. I love [him] to death but I do not know how to help him and he refuses to get help," the message continued. 

The Army Reservist expressed concerns over Card "hearing things he thinks he heard," adding that, "when I dropped him off he was concerned his weapons were still in the car. I believe they were at the unit. And no one searched his vehicle on federal property. And yes he still has all of his weapons."