Highlands sheriff orders counseling for deputies after Florida bank shooting
5 women killed in SunTrust bank shooting
Associated Press
Law enforcement officers stand near a Florida Department of Law Enforcement vehicle that is parked in front of SunTrust Bank branch, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019, in Sebring, Fla., where authorities say five people were shot and killed. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
SEBRING, Fla. – The Highlands County sheriff has ordered counseling for deputies who responded to a bank shooting where five women died.
In a video posted Tuesday on Facebook, Highlands County Sheriff Paul Blackman said his office suffered additional trauma after the Jan. 23 shooting at a SunTrust branch in Sebring when a sergeant killed himself Saturday. He had not been involved in the bank investigation.
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Blackman said the tragedies "highlight the importance of seeking treatment for mental health issues."
He's requiring sheriff's employees who responded to either case to speak with stress management teams. He's also urging anyone else to seek counseling if they need it, especially if they thinking about hurting themselves or others. His video points to a suicide prevention hotline, 1-800-273-8255, and says his office has additional resources to help.
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A Highlands County Sheriff's SWAT vehicle is stationed out in front of a SunTrust Bank branch, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019, in Sebring, Fla., where authorities say five people were shot and killed. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)Law enforcement officials stand out in front of a SunTrust Bank branch, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019, in Sebring, Fla., where authorities say five people were shot and killed (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, center, gestures as he speaks during a news conference alongside Sebring, Fla., police chief Karl Hoglund, left, and Highlands County sheriff Paul Blackman, right, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019, in Sebring, Fla., after authorities said five people were shot and killed at a SunTrust bank branch. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)Law enforcement officers look over papers out in front of a SunTrust bank, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019, in Sebring, Fla., where authorities say five people were shot and killed (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)Sebring Police Chief Karl Hoglund wipes his head as he listens to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speak during a news conference, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019, in Sebring, Fla., after authorities said five people were shot and killed at a SunTrust bank branch. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)SEBRING, FLORIDA - JANUARY 24: The SunTrust Bank branch is seen as law enforcement officials continue to investigate the scene where five people were killed on January 24, 2019 in Sebring, Florida. The shooter entered the building and shot five and was later taken into custody. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SEBRING, FLORIDA - JANUARY 24: The SunTrust Bank branch is seen as law enforcement officials continue to investigate the scene where five people were killed on January 24, 2019 in Sebring, Florida. The shooter entered the building and shot five and was later taken into custody. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SEBRING, FLORIDA - JANUARY 24: The SunTrust Bank branch is seen as law enforcement officials continue to investigate the scene where five people were killed on January 24, 2019 in Sebring, Florida. The shooter entered the building and shot five and was later taken into custody. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SEBRING, FLORIDA - JANUARY 24: The SunTrust Bank branch is seen as law enforcement officials continue to investigate the scene where five people were killed on January 24, 2019 in Sebring, Florida. The shooter entered the building and shot five and was later taken into custody. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SEBRING, FLORIDA - JANUARY 24: The SunTrust Bank branch is seen as law enforcement officials continue to investigate the scene where five people were killed on January 24, 2019 in Sebring, Florida. The shooter entered the building and shot five and was later taken into custody. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SEBRING, FLORIDA - JANUARY 24: The SunTrust Bank branch is seen as law enforcement officials continue to investigate the scene where five people were killed on January 24, 2019 in Sebring, Florida. The shooter entered the building and shot five and was later taken into custody. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SEBRING, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: Law enforcement officials investigate the scene where five people were killed at a SunTrust Bank branch on January 23, 2019 in Sebring, Florida. The shooter entered the building and shot five and was later taken into custody. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SEBRING, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: A law enforcement official investigates the scene where five people were killed at a SunTrust Bank branch on January 23, 2019 in Sebring, Florida. The shooter entered the building and shot five and was later taken into custody. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)Zephen Xaver, 21, is accused of killing five people at a Sebring SunTrust.SEBRING, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: The SunTrust Bank branch is seen as law enforcement officials investigate the scene where five people were killed on January 23, 2019 in Sebring, Florida. The shooter entered the building and shot five and was later taken into custody. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SEBRING, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: The SunTrust Bank branch is seen as law enforcement officials investigate the scene where five people were killed on January 23, 2019 in Sebring, Florida. The shooter entered the building and shot five and was later taken into custody. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SEBRING, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: The SunTrust Bank branch is seen as law enforcement officials investigate the scene where five people were killed on January 23, 2019 in Sebring, Florida. The shooter entered the building and shot five and was later taken into custody. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SEBRING, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: The SunTrust Bank branch is seen as law enforcement officials investigate the scene where five people were killed on January 23, 2019 in Sebring, Florida. The shooter entered the building and shot five and was later taken into custody. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SEBRING, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: Police tape marks the scene where five people were killed at a SunTrust Bank branch on January 23, 2019 in Sebring, Florida. The shooter entered the building and shot five and was later taken into custody. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SEBRING, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: Law enforcement officials investigate the scene where five people were killed at a SunTrust Bank branch on January 23, 2019 in Sebring, Florida. The shooter entered the building and shot five and was later taken into custody. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SEBRING, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: Law enforcement officials investigate the scene where five people were killed at a SunTrust Bank branch on January 23, 2019 in Sebring, Florida. The shooter entered the building and shot five and was later taken into custody. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SEBRING, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: Law enforcement officials investigate the scene where five people were killed at a SunTrust Bank branch on January 23, 2019 in Sebring, Florida. The shooter entered the building and shot five and was later taken into custody. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)Law enforcement officials climb out a FBI mobile command center vehicle that is parked in front of a SunTrust Bank branch, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019, in Sebring, Fla., where authorities say five people were shot and killed. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)SEBRING, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: Law enforcement officials investigate the scene where five people were killed at a SunTrust Bank branch on January 23, 2019 in Sebring, Florida. The shooter entered the building and shot five and was later taken into custody. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)Highlands County Sheriff Paul Blackman, right, speaks to the media as he stands with Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, left, and Sebring Police Chief Karl Hoglund, center, during a news conference, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019, in Sebring, Fla. Five people were shot and killed Wednesday at a SunTrust Bank. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, left, addresses the media as she stands with Sebring Police Chief Karl Hoglund, center, and Highlands County Sheriff Paul Blackman during a news conference, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019, in Sebring, Fla. Five people were shot and killed on the day before at a SunTrust Bank. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)A Sebring, Fla., police officer stands near a Highlands County Sheriff's SWAT vehicle that is stationed in front of a SunTrust Bank branch, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019, in Sebring, Fla., where authorities say five people were shot and killed. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)Crime scene tape marks an opening inside the SunTrust bank Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019, in Sebring, Fla. Authorities say five people were shot and killed inside the bank on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)A red SUV is seen parked outside the damaged SunTrust bank early Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019, in Sebring, Fla. Authorities say five customers were shot and killed at the bank on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)Law enforcement officers stand near a Florida Department of Law Enforcement vehicle that is parked in front of SunTrust Bank branch, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019, in Sebring, Fla., where authorities say five people were shot and killed. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)Law enforcement officers stand near a Florida Department of Law Enforcement vehicle that is parked in front of SunTrust Bank branch, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019, in Sebring, Fla., where authorities say five people were shot and killed. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)Crime scene tape hangs inside the SunTrust bank Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019, in Sebring, Fla. Authorities say five customers were shot and killed in the bank on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
A Highlands County Sheriff's SWAT vehicle is stationed out in front of a SunTrust Bank branch, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019, in Sebring, Fla., where authorities say five people were shot and killed. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
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