Two Lewis-McChord soldiers committed suicide in front of others

Police investigating two apparent soldiers suicides in recent weeks
By Austin Jenkins

Police in Lakewood, Wash., are investigating the apparent suicides of two soldiers from the nearby Joint Base Lewis-McChord in recent weeks. In both cases, police say the soldiers shot themselves in the presence of someone else.

The first soldier to die was Spc. Rory Johnson, age 29. He was part of the hard hit 5th Stryker Brigade that deployed to Afghanistan in 2009 and 2010.

Eleven days after Johnson's death, Spc. Jonathon Gilbert shot himself. He was just 21 and had deployed to Iraq in 2009.

Lakewood police are releasing few details, but they will say the suicides took place at social gatherings and other soldiers were present.
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Police investigating two apparent soldiers suicides

As sad as these stories are, keep in mind that the witnesses of these suicides had to deal with shock on top of the loss. They will need more help because of this. After trauma there is a 30 window. If the symptoms do not fade over a month, then they need to seek help. If they talk to someone right after the event, PTSD does not usually take hold. Friends and family members need to be watchful for signs of change in the soldiers. Often they cannot see the changes in themselves or will deny they are suffering believing they will just get over it.