Mary Wheat, aged 42, tragically lost her life on September 3, 2018, in Jackson, California. The incident was a murder-suicide involving her husband, Brad Wheat, who was an off-duty California Highway Patrol officer. The couple had been experiencing marital issues, and on that fateful day, Brad Wheat confronted Mary at a nutrition store in Martell, California. Following an argument, Brad shot Mary multiple times before turning the gun on himself.
The store owner, who was also present, was shot in the shoulder but survived the attack.
The investigation revealed that Brad Wheat had used his service weapon in the incident. Prior to the shooting, Brad had made threats and exhibited concerning behavior, which led to the temporary confiscation of his firearms by the California Highway Patrol (CHP). However, his service weapon was later returned to him, which he used in the murder-suicide. The tragic event left the community in shock and mourning, as both Mary and Brad were well-known and respected in their community.
In the aftermath of the incident, a lawsuit was filed against the CHP, alleging negligence in handling Brad Wheat's threats and the return of his service weapon. The lawsuit was settled for nearly $4 million, with the CHP agreeing to the settlement without admitting liability. The case highlighted the need for better procedures and evaluations for officers exhibiting signs of mental distress or making threats. The settlement also included payments from the insurers of the therapists who had evaluated Brad Wheat and deemed him not a danger to himself or others.
The tragic deaths of Mary and Brad Wheat left a lasting impact on their community and raised important questions about the responsibilities and protocols of law enforcement agencies in handling cases involving their officers' mental health and access to firearms.
