A Milwaukee man in mental health crisis tried to get help hours before he died.
According to his family, he was instead released from the hospital the same evening he was shot and killed in a confrontation while in a manic episode.
The family of Jonathon Blackmon said he can be dangerous and hard to handle when he is in a mental health crisis. But they want to know why he was on the street when he went to the hospital just before his death.
Blackmon grew up like most kids happy, joking and funny.
"He played football, he liked sports a lot, Packers. He liked movies a lot," said brother Justin Blackmon.
But when he was in his early 20s Jonathon was diagnosed with a mental illness. His family said he had bipolar disorder and manic depression.
He was having an episode Sunday when he was caught on surveillance camera pulling a woman and throwing items in a gas station at 31st and Lisbon. His brother said he knows what is wrong.
"He was very maniac at that point," said Justin Blackmon.
Police said Jonathon Blackmon got into a confrontation with a man armed with a gun at the gas station. While outside the store, that man shot and killed Jonathon. His family said they do not blame the man.
"I can see somebody being afraid of him," said Justin Blackmon.
According to his family, two days before he was killed, Jonathon went to the Milwaukee County Mental Health Complex, where he was later released. The day he died, he went to Ascension St. Joseph's Hospital and was let back on the street a few hours before his death.
"He died a couple hours after he left the hospital. To me that's telling me he wasn't in the right mind state," said Justin Blackmon.
"Why did you all let him go from the hospital? That's a big question," said Sherice Charleston, his half-sister.
The family said no matter what hospital Jonathon went to, they heard the same thing.
"We can't really do anything until he becomes harmful," said Charleston.
TODAY'S TMJ4 reached out to Ascension St. Joseph for a comment and no one was available. We also called and emailed the Milwaukee County Health Complex which had closed before they could give a response.
If you or someone you know is suffering from a mental health crisis,there are several free orlow-costresources in the area.
The family also has a GoFundMe page set up to help cover his funeral expenses.
