Exclusive: Family of deceased Pentagon suspect apologizes, blames son’s ‘mental health challenges’

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“We are devastated by the loss of our son Austin and Officer George Gonzalez,” the family said in a statement to CNN. “We want the family and friends of Officer Gonzalez to know that we are sorry and sorry for them. We will always be grateful for his service and dedication to the safety and well-being of our country.”

The FBI’s Washington Field Office said in a tweet this week that Lanz, 27, got off a bus at the Pentagon Transit Center in Arlington, Va., Around 10:40 a.m. Tuesday. He then, “immediately, without provocation, attacked” Gonzalez with a knife, “seriously injuring him,” the FBI continued.

After Lanz stabbed Gonzalez, “a fight ensued”, according to the tweet, and Lanz “fatally injured Officer Gonzalez and then shot himself with the officer’s service weapon.” On Thursday, an FBI spokesperson said Lanz both stabbed and shot the officer before taking his own life.

“The last few months of Austin’s life were overcome by a number of mental health issues,” the family continued in its statement. “Unfortunately, despite time spent in the criminal justice system with their special demands, hospital stays and numerous professional mental health assessments, Austin has not received any formal diagnosis. As a result, he has not. couldn’t manage his mental health enough or get the help he so desperately needed. “

Lanz briefly served in the US Marines in 2012, according to Marine Corps spokesperson Major Jim Stenger.

Family lawyer Jimmy Berry told CNN Lanz was fired from the Marines for high blood pressure. Berry also told CNN that Lanz was in the Washington DC area this week with his father for a “medical reason” and that a mental health assessment “was also carried out.”

Berry said Lanz had previously received mental health assessments in Georgia.

“As we sit in great disbelief at the events that have occurred and continue to mourn the lives lost, we hope this tragedy can contribute to greater awareness and change in the growing health crisis. mental health in our country, ”the family statement said.

Full declaration:

We are devastated by the loss of our son Austin and Officer George Gonzalez. We want Officer Gonzalez’s family and friends to know that we are sorry and sorry for them. We will be forever grateful for his service and dedication to the safety and well-being of our country.

The last few months of Austin’s life were overcome by many mental health challenges. Sadly, despite time spent in the criminal justice system with their special demands, hospital stays, and numerous professional mental health assessments, Austin has not received a formal diagnosis. As a result, he could not manage his mental health sufficiently or get the help he desperately needed.

As we sit in great disbelief at the events that have occurred and continue to mourn the lives lost, we hope this tragedy can contribute to greater awareness and change in the growing mental health crisis. in our country.

Our family would greatly appreciate the privacy during this most difficult time as we continue to cry.

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