13 WTHR - Indianapolis News |Deadly shooting raises questions

Deadly shooting raises questions

Sandra Chapman/Eyewitness News

Indianapolis -  Some county mental health workers face tough questions after a crisis call apparently went unanswered and a patient was later shot by police.

The shooting happened around 7:00 pm Saturday night on Sheffield Avenue near Belmont and I-70 on the city's west side.

Earlier that evening, Tina Rader had called Midtown Community Mental Health. Her husband Eddie was in crisis. Days earlier he started a ten-day prescription for Seroquel, an anti-psychotic drug to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

"He's been having suicidal thoughts for a while. It wasn't him. He was like a kid crying for help," she said.

But Eddie Rader had a gun and was threatening to harm himself. His behavior was particularly troublesome considering the warnings included with Seroquel.

"It says right here that this medicine may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions. The risk may be greater in patients with a history of suicidal thoughts or actions. Patients who take this medicine have to be watched closely," she said, reading the label.

But Tina Rader says Eddie wasn't being monitored and her calls for help went unanswered at Midtown. Hours later when Eddie started waving the gun as his father tried to wrestle it away, three officers, shot and killed the 23-year-old.

Up until now two very important questions remain unanswered. Was there a call made on Saturday, and if so, what happened to the response to the call?

"We find it very unfortunate and very sad that a situation like that has come to such a tragic end," said Elizabeth Boyle, Crisis Line Director at Mental Health America of Greater Indianapolis. That crisis-suicide line takes 7,000 calls each year. Boyle says it's critical patients get help before the breaking point, especially if medication appears to make them worse.

"If there's a crisis and there is not intervention early on then it can lead to tragedy," Boyle said.

Wishard Health Officials have not responded to our questions. Because of privacy reasons they cannot say why Seroquel was prescribed in the first place, considering some reports that one out of four bipolar patients will attempt suicide.

While the makers of Seroquel clearly state the risk, clinical trials reportedly show more patients being helped than harmed.

24-Hour Crisis Suicide Line - Mental Health America of Greater Indianapolis: 251-7575

Seroquel