A soldier got into an argument with his wife, fired shots into the air and at cars near his military housing complex, and led military police on a car chase until crashing near the Lānaʻi lookout in east Oʻahu. KITV reports “Suspect chase ends in crash at Lanai lookout” (November 22, 2012):
Colonel Mike Donnelly told KITV4 News a husband and wife got into an argument at their home on Ixora Street in military housing. Following the argument, the male suspect reportedly started firing a gun into the air, and at several cars outside the home.
Military police responded to the scene, and chased the suspect as he drove onto the Moanalua Freeway, onto the H-1 Freeway and eventually onto Kalanianaole Highway.
Military police officers used their patrol vehicles to bump the suspect’s vehicle near the Lanai Lookout, ending the pursuit shortly after 1 p.m.
The suspect was taken to Tripler Medical Center for observation. Another PTSD casualty?
I am that soldier. I was suicidal and diagnosed with PTSD. I had been in treatment and simply fell apart because I saw no end in sight. I subsequently pled guilty once I was informed of my actions. I say was informed, because I had no recollection of what I had done. To this day I still have none. I was deeply mortified by my actions and am thankful that no one was physically hurt. I am an infantryman and a combat veteran of Afghanistan, and until that day was one who lead by example and had a promising career. I lost it all in a moment of sheer desperation to end the pain and to finally put my torment to rest. I was sentenced to 42 months in prison and served 23 months without incident and was returned to active duty. While incarcerated, I spoke to young sailors and Marines about the dangers of PTSD and not getting help. I struggle at times to grasp the magnitude of what happened as I have no explanation. My family has stood by me this entire time which has helped tremendously. There are those in my profession who still find it humorous, my plight that is…ignoring the fact I have a family that I must now find a new way to support. This is why I am reaching out. I am thankful for the HPD and the restraint they showed on that day, which could have very easily ended in the loss of life to include my own. Even now as I write this comment I am healing. I have to except the fact that there are those who still wear the uniform that want to watch the video for entertainment. It makes me sad and I feel isolated and discarded;but such is life for those who suffer quietly.