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May 23, 2008 5:55 pm US/Central
Former Texas Marine Accused Of Shooting Horse
MIDLOTHIAN (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
An animal cruelty case in the Ellis County town of Midlothian could be linked to post traumatic stress disorder.
Decorated Marine Shon Wilson is accused of shooting a horse. His family says the unthinkable action may be linked to the unthinkable acts he faced at war.
Derlon Wilson showed happy, content photos if his 25-year-old son, Shon. There is another photo of the young man – a mug shot taken after his arrest.
In a rural Midlothian neighborhood Shon tried to find a foundation of stability for his mental health, after enduring violent and deadly consequences of war in Afghanistan and Iraq.
But the depth of his struggles allegedly surfaced on Sunday. "Then Shon apparently stepped over to his truck and took a gun out that I didn't know he had," Derlon explained. "And shot the horse five times."
The family horse died after the violent act of animal cruelty.
Neighbor Annette Dane says she was just yards from the shooting. "We didn't know what was going on. I ran and called 911. It took the sheriff about 30 minutes to get out here," she said.
Shon has been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder and his father says his son wasn't taking his medication. The National Institute of Mental Health defines PTSD as an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened.
While the shooting and killing of a beloved horse was shocking and tragic, Derlon says the actions of his son could have been worse. "We know that if he doesn't get help that eventually it's gonna be a person in place of a horse or it's gonna be himself."
Shon Wilson was booked into the Wayne McCollum Detention Center on charges of animal cruelty and assault by threat. He was released from custody after posting $10,000 bonds on each charge.
His family says they are now concerned because they aren't sure if the former Marine is continuing with Veterans Administration counseling or taking his medication.
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