Lewiston, Maine – The family of an Army reservist involved in a deadly mass shooting in Maine spoke before a state commission, revealing details about the shooter’s traumatic brain injury and the military’s examination of his life. Robert Card, the shooter, tragically took the lives of 18 people at a Lewiston bowling alley and bar before ending his own life. His family shared that Card had a “severe” traumatic brain injury resulting from his time as a hand grenade training instructor and that the military had initiated a “psychological autopsy” of his life.
The family made the decision to donate Card’s brain to the Boston University CTE Center, which confirmed the presence of a traumatic brain injury. The severity of Card’s brain injury was noted by researchers, who described it as one of the worst cases they had seen, even in comparison to military personnel who had served in combat zones.
During his testimony before an independent commission investigating the shooting, James Herling, the shooter’s brother-in-law, emphasized that Card was not an active soldier but a reservist. He expressed that Card’s deteriorating mental health went unnoticed, leading to the tragic events that unfolded. Herling and Nicole Herling, the shooter’s sister, shared their efforts to seek help for Card, including reaching out to the Army, but their concerns were left unaddressed.
The family disclosed that Card had displayed concerning behaviors leading up to the shooting, but they never imagined the extent of the tragedy that would unfold. Nicole Herling acknowledged the need for better mental health resources within the military to prevent similar incidents in the future. Despite the findings of a traumatic brain injury, she clarified that it does not excuse Card’s actions, emphasizing the importance of recognizing warning signs and providing support to individuals facing mental health challenges.
As the investigation into the shooting continues, the family hopes that their testimony will spark change within the military to improve the identification and treatment of traumatic brain injuries among service members. Their emotional testimony underscored the devastating impact of undiagnosed mental health issues and the importance of early intervention to prevent further tragedies. The commission’s final report is expected to address systemic failures that may have contributed to the shooting and provide recommendations for enhancing mental health support within the military.