A Mississippi man accused of killing a man and wounding a woman is a National Guard veteran who suffered a severe brain injury in Afghanistan.

The Hattiesburg American reported this week on the case of Norman Andrew “Andy” Whiddon Jr., who was arrested on a murder charge in the fatal shooting of 47-year-old James Edward Herrin this month. Authorities say Whiddon also repeatedly shot a woman before leading police on a chase. The woman has been hospitalized in stable condition.

The newspaper says the former National Guard sergeant was clearing fields of debris when two land mines exploded. He received a Purple Heart for the injury that forced his retirement after 17 years of military service.