- Erik Ayala – The Schizophrenic Gunman
The following Letter to the Editor was printed in this morning’s Oregonian. At least some Portland residents understand that “godlessness” is not to blame for the January 24th shootings:
Russell Mathews’ Thursday letter to the editor blaming “godlessness” for the downtown shooting appeared in the same edition of The Oregonian as the revelation that Erik Ayala had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and had undergone psychiatric hospitalization as a result of a suicide attempt (Feb. 5).
He subsequently received intensive follow-up mental health treatment while in high school, after possibly making threats about bringing a gun to school.
Schizophrenia cannot be treated by a belief in God and is not caused by being taught evolution. In order for these shootings to have been prevented, we would need a mental health care system that provides the type of care Ayala received as a student and one that could have followed up with him once he left school. We would also need gun laws that don’t allow selling a lethal weapon to someone with a history of mental illness who had shown evidence of being a threat to others.
EVA GOLD
Southeast Portland
