Fayetteville police standoff: Son explains father's mental health issues

Steven Pavletic is praising the Fayetteville Police Department for how they handled his father, Patrick Pavletic, during a standoff.

Patrick is a veteran with a history of mental health issues, including PTSD.

Steven says the police were patient and tried to talk Patrick down during the standoff.

On July 4th, Patrick shot into neighbors' homes and then barricaded himself inside his home.

Police tried to serve him involuntary commitment papers, contacted the Special Forces Association to get involved, and even contacted Steven to see if he could help. However, Patrick eventually fired shots at police while he was barricaded, and they fired back.

"It would be a blessing to get the VA in there to give him the help he needs," Steven said. "He's a veteran in distress. He should have got the help that he needed."

Steven says his father was shot in the shoulder and treated at a hospital. However, he was determined to be competent during a mental evaluation and sent to jail. Steven hopes the VA can get his father's help quickly.

"It's not just give him pills and send him on his way, next person in," Steven said. "It's got to be followed through to the end until he is mentally healthy."