After Army reservist Robert Card II went on a shooting rampage in Maine last fall, killing 18 people before turning the gun on himself, officials sent his brain to a specialized lab for testing.
Turns out Card, who’d never been in combat, suffered extensive brain damage. One possible cause is from repeated exposure to grenade blasts during training exercises.
While more research is needed, the initial finding that prolonged use of weapons like that might cause cause traumatic brain injuries has broad implications for the armed forces. New York Times reporter Dave Philipps, who covers the military, is following the story.
