The family of a deceased Army reservist who carried out a mass shooting in Maine revealed to a state commission that he suffered a severe traumatic brain injury from his service as a hand grenade training instructor. The military has initiated a “psychological autopsy” to investigate his life. Despite being a reservist and not an active soldier, the shooter displayed concerning behavior that went unnoticed. His family tried to reach out to the Army regarding his mental health and access to weapons, but their calls went unanswered.
The shooter’s family discovered evidence of a traumatic brain injury through research on his brain, and believe it may have contributed to his actions. They hope that his case will raise awareness about the effects of brain injuries and lead to better recognition and treatment in the military. The family emphasized that a brain injury does not always correlate with violent behavior.
The Army, meanwhile, has committed to understanding brain health effects and improving protective equipment to minimize blast exposure. The commission is still investigating the shooter’s actions preceding the massacre while family members continue to advocate for mental health awareness.