Family says bow and arrow suspect was mentally ill

10:04 PM CST on Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Len Cannon / 11 News

Julie Parker

HOUSTON -- Police said Julie Parker showed up to an office complex with a bow and arrow and shot a man. But her family is now saying it's a scenario they've feared for a long time, and they’ve been trying to prevent it.

"Julie’s very bright. She was a photographer and an artist. She wanted to be a neurosurgeon or an architect," said Jennifer Oliver, Parker’s mother.

But instead of becoming those thing, Parker is now in a Houston hospital after being shot by Houston police and two of her father's co-workers.

After being shot 10 to 12 times, the 30-year-old is in stable condition. She was lucky none of the bullets reached a vital organ.

The incident happened Monday afternoon. Authorities said Parker walked into Texas components armed with a fake pistol and a bow and arrow, looking for her father. When one worker tried to stop her, Parker reportedly fired the arrow, hitting him in the side.

That's when two other workers grabbed their concealed guns and fired at Parker.

Parker’s stepfather thinks the workers may have overreacted.

“They shot a mentally ill woman. Or at least, shot at her," said Jim Oliver, stepfather.

Police said they were forced to shoot when Parker wouldn't drop her weapons.

Parker's mother and stepfather said she's suffered from mental illness for nearly two decades. Just one month ago, she was released from an Austin Institution.

"Texas needs to allocate funds for mental illness. They need to change their policies about the treatment and following the mentally ill after they're out of the hospital. Their law enforcement policies need to be revisited," said Jennifer Oliver.

Parker’s parents said they tried to warn authorities, but help didn't come soon enough for a very troubled woman.

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