GILBERT, Ariz. — A United States Marine Corps veteran was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) when Gilbert police officers shot and killed him, according to his wife.
Police said 40-year-old Brett Shanahan approached officers wearing a bulletproof vest and armed with a handgun and a rifle. He made threats to officers and ignored their commands to stop.
Sabrina Shanahan wishes to raise awareness about PTSD.
"It is our prayer that through this tragedy, just one life can be saved by getting help and using the resources available," Sabrina Shanahan told 12News.
Seven percent of veterans will have PTSD at some point in their lifetime, according to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.
“It’s a debilitating illness over time if left untreated," Dr. Dara Rampersad said.
Rampersad, the chief psychologist at BluePaz, said PTSD can make people act in ways they normally wouldn't.
“It is inevitable that their mood is going to change, they’re going to become depressed. They’re going to become more anxious. Sometimes if you lack sleep for long enough, you even hear things and see things that aren’t there," Rampersad said.
Rampersad said PTSD causes people to have severe flashbacks and nightmares, often leading to sleep deprivation.
"They wake up feeling like there is a weight on their chests and that they can’t breathe. They shake, they sweat," Rampersad said.
The psychologist said treatments have advanced in the past decade. He turns his patients to cognitive behavioral therapy.
“That has been tried, true, and tested over the course of decades that has worked exceptionally well to be able to help people," Rampersad said.
He told 12News that having a strong support system can also help people cope with traumatic stress.
“I would love people to know that there is hope in this illness, there is a light at the end of the tunnel if you stick with treatment and trust a provider that can help you," Rampersad said.
If you or someone you know is suffering from PTSD, call or text 988 to speak with a crisis counselor.
If you're a veteran, call 988 and press one to speak with a veterans crisis responder.
Up to Speed
Catch up on the latest news and stories on the 12 News YouTube channel. Subscribe today.