Parents of mentally ill child may have averted mass shooting

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Parents of mentally ill child may have averted mass shooting

(CBS News) BOLIVAR, Mo. - The Colorado theater shooting and the massacre at Sandy Hook school have raised urgent questions about the failings of mental health care. Parents are up against many barriers when they try to help a mentally ill child who's prone to violence.

Two years ago, Bill Lammers' son, Blaec, was picked up by police at a local Wal-Mart, in Bolivar, Mo., holding a butcher knife and a Halloween mask.

"What he told us was he had picked out someone," said Bill. "He was going to watch them go into the back room, follow them back there, and hopefully the police would get him and shoot him first before he did anything."

The Lammers family.

He was 18 then and already had been committed to a mental hospital twice -- once for threatening to put a pipe bomb under his teacher's car.

Blaec would be checked into mental hospitals, but could only stay for 4 days. Why the limit?

"That was our question too," said Lammers. "'Why? Why? Did you fix him? Did you cure him?'"

Four days is the legal limit without a court order. His mother, Tricia, and Bill say Blaec was in and out of mental institutions. At first, they didn't realize how serious it was. By the time he was 18 and legally an adult, it was harder to get him committed for the long-term.

His doctors would release him with new meds and a new diagnosis, everything from Asperger's to bipolar disorder to a problem linked with schizophrenia.

"I am here to love this child and to help this child in any way that I can," said Tricia.

They ran up a $50,000 medical bill searching for ways to help their son.

"Maybe it's just teenage hormones," said Bill. "You try and figure out anything but a mental condition."

Blaec's violent outbursts and manic behavior forced them to lock up their belongings. One time, he came up behind his sister holding a knife.

Tricia considered buying a handgun for her own protection, until she made a discovery while doing the laundry that changed everything.

"I found a receipt that said 'Shotgun $865,'" she said.

"And I said, 'That's not a shotgun,'" recalled Bill. "'That's an assault weapon. That's an AR-15.'"

Blaec, who had been committed seven times, "legally bought an assault weapon legally from the place [the Wal-Mart] he had walked into with a butcher knife," Bill added.

The reason: Blaec was never involuntarily committed to a mental institution by the courts, so no mental health record turned up on the background check.

A day after discovering the receipt, Tricia contacted police, who arrested Blaec. He allegedly confessed that he planned to open fire that weekend at Wal-Mart and also considered targeting the local movie theater.

On turning in her own son to the police, Tricia said: "My first thought was, 'What have I done? I just destroyed my son's life.' And people would come up to me and say, 'No, you saved our lives.'"

She added, "This is my hell. This is my hell. If I make it through this, I go to heaven."

Now 21, Blaec Lammers sits in the Polk County Jail, charged with three felony counts, including making a terrorist threat. He may face a life sentence. His parents say it could jhave been much worse, but worry that prison is not where he'll get the help he needs.

Edited June 7, 2013 by Kathryn41
to remove inappropriate baiting comment

[spookyturtle 9,466]

This is why there should be no background checks or license required to by a firearm. ANYONE who has the money should be able to buy whatever they want, even if they have been a committed lunatic. It's all about freedom.

[justashooter 430]

the only reason this guy is in jail is that he opened his mouth in front of a policeman. they had nothing else on him in this case.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I averted having mentally ill children by teaching them to shoot.

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

*** two posts removed- one for name calling and one for quoting that post. Remember that when you quote a news article in the OP, the title of your thread should be the title of the article ****

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Oh man, this is awesome. There is now the 11th commandment: Thou shalt not speak ill of the NRA on VJ or thou posts shalt be removed.

More than two posts have been removed from this thread, by the way. Moderators should at least be honest.

Edited June 6, 2013 by Mr. Big Dog

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

the only reason this guy is in jail is that he opened his mouth in front of a policeman. they had nothing else on him in this case.

Had he kept quiet, he could have completed his NRA membership drive event, yes?

Edited June 6, 2013 by Mr. Big Dog

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

Oh man, this is awesome. There is now the 11th commandment: Thou shalt not speak ill of the NRA on VJ or thou posts shalt be removed.

More than two posts have been removed from this thread, by the way. Moderators should at least be honest.

You are correct, 3 posts.

[JohnR! 5,495]

the only reason this guy is in jail is that he opened his mouth in front of a policeman. they had nothing else on him in this case.

A day after discovering the receipt, Tricia contacted police, who arrested Blaec. He allegedly confessed that he planned to open fire that weekend at Wal-Mart and also considered targeting the local movie theater.

It is always a bummer when someone is denied their god-given birthright to open fire with a semiautomatic on unarmed and unsuspecting civilians, is it not? He-haw!

Edited June 6, 2013 by Gegel

[Teddy B 17,252]

the only reason this guy is in jail is that he opened his mouth in front of a policeman. they had nothing else on him in this case.

VJ gun nuts, bringing the definition of bizarre to all new levels.

[decocker 7,198]

i completely sympathize with this family. making that call must have been one in a slew of horrible decisions to have to make regarding your child.

His parents say it could jhave been much worse, but worry that prison is not where he'll get the help he needs.

i think that's a given.

I averted having mentally ill children by teaching them to shoot.

wha? how?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

VJ gun nuts, bringing the definition of bizarre to all new levels.

Watch your language, buddy. You may be in violation of the 11th commandment: Thou shalt not speak ill of the NRA on VJ or thou posts shalt be removed.

You know they have thin skin. Get their panties in a wad right quick. I bet the report button on your post was hit more than a dozen times already. By the time I click "Add Reply" I fully expect extensive report button action by our sissy crowd.

wha? how?

Shooting a gun cures mental illness. Didn't you know that?

Seriously, though, this is why the NRA advocates for every sicko to be able to buy as many guns as they can afford. Next they will advocate for "gun stamps" - yes, modeled after food stamps - so that the poor sickos all can have their firearms too.

Edited June 6, 2013 by Mr. Big Dog

[decocker 7,198]

Shooting a gun cures mental illness. Didn't you know that?

no seriously, ####### is he talking about?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

no seriously, ####### is he talking about?

He's talking about shooting a gun being a preventive measure against mental illness. Seriously. He believes that. Soon, in order to prove that fact, he will quote an article that tells you the exact opposite. It's how he rolls.

[Teddy B 17,252]

On a serious note, CBS covered this story the other night on their evening news. The parents were heartbroken for making this decision, but still knew it was the right thing to do. My wife commented that she wasn't sure if she could make the same decision if she were in their shoes. I truly feel for these parents.