After shooting, officials work to prevent lasting trauma

If you can understand the need for something like this after one event, then maybe you can understand a soldier coming home needing help after a year's worth of events when their lives were on on the line.

After shooting, officials work to prevent lasting trauma

December 25, 2010 02:17:00 PM
S. BRADY CALHOUN / News Herald Writer
PANAMA CITY — Everyone involved in the hostage crisis at the Bay District Board room has a buddy.

It was one of the first things Superintendent Bill Husfelt ordered, along with time with a counselor for all the board members shortly after Clay Duke pulled out a gun during a Dec. 14 board meeting and ultimately opened fire on the board. The 56-year-old was shot by Mike Jones, the district’s chief of safety, security and police. Duke fell to the ground, returned fire and then turned his gun on himself.

No one besides Duke was physically hurt but officials are concerned that the emotional and psychological scars could linger.

“We set up a buddy system so we can look out for one another,” Husfelt said. “Especially over the holidays.”

Those who survive a traumatic event sometimes suffer from acute stress disorder, said Omar Howard, a psychiatrist with Life Management Center in Panama City.

“They have intense fear, feelings of helplessness or horror,” Howard said, adding that victims often have nightmares, problems sleeping, anger issues. They may also avoid the source of the trauma and if the incident was videotaped, like the hostage situation, they may avoid watching the video.
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After shooting, officials work to prevent lasting trauma