Veteran shot by deputy sheriff suffers from PTSD

Veteran shot by deputy sheriff suffers from stress syndrome

Joshua Gerard, a 10-year Army veteran, had "reached the end of his mental and emotional rope," a statement from his family said.

By Gary Taylor, Walter Pacheco, Bianca Prieto and Anthony Colarossi, Orlando Sentinel

2:32 p.m. EDT, May 11, 2010
The family of a man shot by a deputy sheriff during a domestic disturbance in Volusia County said he is an Army veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome that was not adequately treated.

The wife of Joshua James Gerard watched in horror as a deputy sheriff shot her husband Sunday as he pointed a shotgun at the law-enforcement officer.

"They're shooting my husband," Sarah Gerard told a 911 dispatcher after telling authorities her husband allegedly trashed their house and tossed gas on her.

Authorities Monday would not release the condition of Joshua Gerard, who was airlifted to a local hospital.

The deputy who shot him, Sgt. Vidal Mejías, has been placed on paid leave, which is standard procedure in officer-involved shootings, Sheriff's spokesman Gary Davidson said.

Gerard faces charges of aggravated battery in Sunday's domestic incident with his wife and aggravated assault for pointing a shotgun at Mejías, Davidson said Monday.

The Gerard family released a statement late Monday, describing Joshua Gerard as a 10-year Army veteran who had "reached the end of his mental and emotional rope" after struggling from post-traumatic stress syndrome since his return from a one-year tour in Iraq.
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Veteran shot by deputy sheriff suffers from stress syndrome