Maine Mass Shooter’s Family Highlights Critical Missed Warning Signs
One year after Army reservist Robert Card fatally shot 18 people and wounded 13 others in Lewiston, Maine, his family members are working to bring awareness to traumatic brain injuries.
Card, a firearms and hand grenade instructor, had documented mental health problems before he opened fire on a bowling alley and a bar and grill using a Ruger SFAR on Oct. 25, 2023. Authorities located him two days later with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
“We want to make sure this doesn’t ever, ever happen again to another family,” Nicole Herling, Card’s sister, told NBC News in an interview published Tuesday.
Raising Awareness: From Anguish to Action
The aftermath of such tragedy often prompts deeper questions, questions that ripple through communities. In the wake of this sorrowful event, Herling and her husband, James, have felt an urgent need to address the overlooked mental health issues that spiraled into calamity. Their family’s journey to raise awareness about Robert’s deteriorating mental state marks a poignant shift from grief to advocacy.
In conversations with the media, they reflect on attempts to reach out to crisis lines and his military base, seeking help that unfortunately didn’t arrive in time. A chilling testimony came from a fellow Army reservist who, concerned about Card’s well-being, had foreseen his potential for violence just weeks prior.
The Hidden Cost of Service
Research following the tragedy revealed severe traumatic brain injuries in Card’s brain — a grim finding discussed with his family during a legislative hearing. They learned this was among the most severe cases ever documented. Card’s military background, particularly as a hand-grenade instructor, likely exposed him to countless explosions, each adding to the unseen damage in his mind. The Herling family now finds themselves advocating for awareness on issues that can easily slip under the radar yet have profound consequences.
“We recognized we needed to help other families, especially once we realized Robbie’s brain had been compromised,” James expressed in a heartfelt interview with NBC anchor Lester Holt. Their nonprofit organization, Rising Over Brokenness, aims to educate the public about the hidden dangers of traumatic brain injuries, a mission born from personal loss.
This initiative transforms their family’s heartbreak into a beacon of hope for others, a chance to shine a light on the silent struggles faced by many veterans. They have taken to memorializing the 18 lives lost, adorning their property with blue hearts and the names of each victim. In these moments of reflection, they grapple with the duality of remembrance and regret. As Nicole poignantly states, “I don’t ever want to talk about Robbie without acknowledging the pain that he’s caused to other people.”
Recognizing the Silent Legacy of Trauma
In August, the U.S. Department of Defense announced a Warfighter Brain Health Initiative aimed at promoting brain health and mitigating risks associated with traumatic brain injuries. Yet, for the Herling family, these initiatives come too late. They have taken steps to hold government authorities accountable, serving legal notice to sue the DOD, Army, and a community hospital for negligence. They believe timely intervention could have changed the course of events leading up to that horrific day in October.
This family’s story conveys not just tragedy but a clarion call to recognize and act on the signs of mental health distress. As they navigate this heartbreaking chapter, they remind us that awareness and timely communication could foster a more compassionate society, one that values every voice raised in concern.
