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Mosque Shooting Suspect 'Escaped' Mental Health Care
2 Sep
Summary
- Parents allege facility failed to secure teen accused in mosque attack.
- FBI reportedly warned of suspect's online threats days prior.
- Facility disputes claims, stating it is not a locked institution.
A lawsuit filed by the parents of Caleb Vazquez, the 18-year-old accused in a fatal mosque shooting, alleges negligence by the Park Mental Health Treatment Center. The suit claims Vazquez "escaped" the facility the night before the May 18 attack, which left three people dead and the two suspects deceased by suicide. Vazquez's parents had admitted him in April due to severe mental health issues.
The parents' lawsuit details that a facility staff member inquired about Vazquez's whereabouts on the morning of the attack, revealing he was missing. They spent hours searching for him. The lawsuit also contends the FBI had alerted the facility about Vazquez's communications regarding school shootings and suicide. Vazquez's attorney noted he was previously held in a more secure facility.
Park Mental Health disputes the lawsuit's allegations, with an attorney stating it contains factual errors. The center clarified it is an outpatient facility and does not have locked rooms, thus cannot detain patients. The attorney also mentioned the FBI contacted Vazquez's mother before the treatment center was informed.
Separately, a 17-year-old girl from North Carolina has been charged as an adult with murder and conspiracy in connection with the attack, which is being investigated as a hate crime.
