AUGUSTA, Maine – The tragic case of Army reservist Robert Card, responsible for Maine’s deadliest gun massacre, unfolded new layers of complexity as a brain tissue analysis revealed evidence of traumatic brain injuries before the devastating events took place. Card’s former Army colleagues shed light on his decline in mental health and concerning behavior during a public hearing, further deepening the investigation into the horrific killings that shook the state.
Boston University researchers determined that Card had suffered from traumatic brain injuries, showing degeneration in nerve fibers, inflammation, and small blood vessel injury in his brain tissue analysis. This revelation came to light as the special commission investigating the mass shooting delved into the circumstances leading up to the tragedy. Card, a 40-year-old Army reservist, sadly ended his own life after the massacre, which claimed the lives of 18 individuals.
1st Sgt. Kelvin Mote, who also serves as a police officer, disclosed during the commission hearing that he had taken action under Maine’s yellow flag law just days before encountering Card. Despite concerns about Card’s mental state and access to weapons, deputies tasked with a welfare check did not act promptly to prevent the unfolding tragedy. The challenges surrounding gun confiscation under the yellow flag law added a layer of complexity to the situation.
The findings from Card’s brain study raised questions about the potential impact of his past exposure to low-level blasts during his time as an instructor at an Army hand grenade training range. While the link between the brain injuries and Card’s violent actions remains unclear, further investigation is underway to understand the role of brain injury in his declining mental health leading up to the fateful day in Lewiston.
In the wake of the shooting, Card’s family issued a statement expressing remorse and extending sympathies to the victims and their loved ones. The community continues to grapple with the aftermath of the tragedy, seeking answers and advocating for measures to prevent such incidents in the future. Calls for changes to gun laws have emerged, with initiatives aimed at enhancing law enforcement’s ability to intervene in cases of potential danger and restrict access to firearms for high-risk individuals.
As the investigation unfolds and testimonies shed light on the events leading up to the mass shooting, a sense of urgency permeates the discussions surrounding mental health, gun regulations, and preventative measures. The search for accountability and solutions drives the commission’s proceedings as victims’ families, law enforcement officials, and members of the community seek closure and justice in the aftermath of the devastating incident.