Family members of the man who killed a toddler and grandmother at Publix said they warned authorities about his mental health problems more than once.
Monica Wall, the ex-wife of shooter Timothy Wall, took issue with comments by Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, who said his office had no idea Wall was dangerous or had posted threats that he wanted to kill people, including children and would have taken action if anyone had told them.
Wall explained in a statement Tuesday through her attorney, Bryan Raymond, that the family previously tried to get help for the shooter and that he had been hospitalized and attended psychological counseling for his mental illness. The statement said the family had no knowledge of the shooter’s mental health treatments since the divorce.
“We are disheartened by the approach that has been taken by the Sheriff of Palm Beach County during this difficult time for all parties involved,” the statement, in part, reads. “Without knowledge of all the facts, the Sheriff specifically mentioned Mr. Wall’s Ex-wife in a press conference and insinuated that she and her family should have done more to prevent this tragedy.”
Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Spokeswoman Teri Barbera said in an email Tuesday evening that the sheriff’s office received two calls from the Walls in May and June of 2019. But Timothy Wall’s mental health was never mentioned.
“Timothy Wall’s family and friends may have been aware of his behavior and should have notified authorities, but by their own admission, the family states that they are not aware of Mr. Wall receiving any mental health treatment since the divorce in 2019,” Barbera wrote.
Monica Wall’s statement said the family told deputies “on numerous occasions, formally and informally,” that Wall needed mental health services and had a gun.
Bradshaw urged people who see posts like Timothy Wall’s to speak up.
“The real sad part of this, other than the fact that two people are dead, is that there was a chance this could be stopped,” Bradshaw said at a press conference Friday, a day after the shooting.
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