Mental Illness - Help Vauclan Afford an Attorney
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I am Nivea Thomas (23), sister of Vauclan Thomas (25). We are from Chicago, IL.
On February 20, 2021, my brother began experiencing his first noticeable symptoms of psychosis. He has never been previously diagnosed with mental illness or exhibited any behavior suggesting evaluation should be taken. It was 3:26pm, and I was headed to my father's house because he agreed to drive my brother, I, and a couple of friends to dinner to celebrate my birthday. (It is important to note that I live with my mom, and my brother lives with my dad). Coming from my makeup appointment, I hopped in the Uber and texted my brother that I was on the way. He responded very aggressively, urging me to not come. Confused, I asked, "Why?". He claimed he could not say, but was very adamant about me going back to my mom's, so I changed the Uber destination and went home without further questioning.
As I walked in the door, I told my mom about his strange behavior. We both concluded something was wrong, but didn't quite know just what. My mom called him on FaceTime and was bombarded with more of the same aggression, along with statements that did not seem to make sense. He claimed that my dad had a son he never told us about. According to my brother, that son is rapper NBA YoungBoy. (Keep in mind, this is his psychosis speaking. When in this deluded state, his mind tells him things that are not true). We call my dad and catch him up to speed. He informs us that upon his arrival home, the entire living room had been tarnished, and his glass table, completely shattered. My brother was the culprit.
At this time, Vauclan was not home. He left to rent a car because he assumed my dad would not make it back in time to take us to dinner. It was not long before my brother returned. He burst into the house and pulled a gun on my dad. (Vauclan posses a Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card). Although not in the same home, my mother and I overheard everything on the phone as it took place. Thankfully, no shots were fired, and my brother went outside to sit in the car for a while. My mother called the police, but they were too late. My brother had driven off before they arrived. We tried calling and texting, but he would not answer any of us. No one knew where he was.
The next day, February 21, my brother calls my mother. He had driven to Wisconsin for some reason. He asked for $100 to get a plane ticket to Canada because he believed rappers Drake and Lil Durk had one million dollars waiting on him (again, psychosis). My mother told him to come home, and he agreed, but never showed up.
On February 22, at 4:08am, Vauclan was arrested in Janesville, Wisconsin. Just to be clear, he does not, nor has he ever had a criminal record. I received a FaceTime call from him at 9:14am, and spoke with a detective who filled me in. Due to my brother's delusions, he believed a snow plow was out to get him, and fired at it. There was a man inside, but luckily, he was not hit by the bullet. In addition, Vauclan believed he was the reincarnation of Michael Jackson, as well as the descendant of Egyptian pharaohs. I was also informed that the vehicle my brother rented was stolen from Chicago Midway International Airport. Upon further investigation and reviewing of the surveillance footage, my brother didn't actually "steal" the car. He, somehow, convinced an employee that it was his, and they simply let him have it.
My brother was evaluated to find out what the issue truly was. His toxicology report came back clean, so the psychosis is not drug induced. After further testing, we received the news that my brother is experiencing symptoms of Schizophrenia. He is currently being held at a mental institution in Wisconsin, and is feeling better, although not fully back to himself. Even though my brother has been deemed mentally ill and did not intend to harm the snow plow driver, he is now being charged with attempted homicide, and will soon be shipped to jail. My family and I need to raise money to afford an attorney to fight Vauclan's case. Any donation or even a share would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you all,
Nivea Thomas
On February 20, 2021, my brother began experiencing his first noticeable symptoms of psychosis. He has never been previously diagnosed with mental illness or exhibited any behavior suggesting evaluation should be taken. It was 3:26pm, and I was headed to my father's house because he agreed to drive my brother, I, and a couple of friends to dinner to celebrate my birthday. (It is important to note that I live with my mom, and my brother lives with my dad). Coming from my makeup appointment, I hopped in the Uber and texted my brother that I was on the way. He responded very aggressively, urging me to not come. Confused, I asked, "Why?". He claimed he could not say, but was very adamant about me going back to my mom's, so I changed the Uber destination and went home without further questioning.
As I walked in the door, I told my mom about his strange behavior. We both concluded something was wrong, but didn't quite know just what. My mom called him on FaceTime and was bombarded with more of the same aggression, along with statements that did not seem to make sense. He claimed that my dad had a son he never told us about. According to my brother, that son is rapper NBA YoungBoy. (Keep in mind, this is his psychosis speaking. When in this deluded state, his mind tells him things that are not true). We call my dad and catch him up to speed. He informs us that upon his arrival home, the entire living room had been tarnished, and his glass table, completely shattered. My brother was the culprit.
At this time, Vauclan was not home. He left to rent a car because he assumed my dad would not make it back in time to take us to dinner. It was not long before my brother returned. He burst into the house and pulled a gun on my dad. (Vauclan posses a Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card). Although not in the same home, my mother and I overheard everything on the phone as it took place. Thankfully, no shots were fired, and my brother went outside to sit in the car for a while. My mother called the police, but they were too late. My brother had driven off before they arrived. We tried calling and texting, but he would not answer any of us. No one knew where he was.
The next day, February 21, my brother calls my mother. He had driven to Wisconsin for some reason. He asked for $100 to get a plane ticket to Canada because he believed rappers Drake and Lil Durk had one million dollars waiting on him (again, psychosis). My mother told him to come home, and he agreed, but never showed up.
On February 22, at 4:08am, Vauclan was arrested in Janesville, Wisconsin. Just to be clear, he does not, nor has he ever had a criminal record. I received a FaceTime call from him at 9:14am, and spoke with a detective who filled me in. Due to my brother's delusions, he believed a snow plow was out to get him, and fired at it. There was a man inside, but luckily, he was not hit by the bullet. In addition, Vauclan believed he was the reincarnation of Michael Jackson, as well as the descendant of Egyptian pharaohs. I was also informed that the vehicle my brother rented was stolen from Chicago Midway International Airport. Upon further investigation and reviewing of the surveillance footage, my brother didn't actually "steal" the car. He, somehow, convinced an employee that it was his, and they simply let him have it.
My brother was evaluated to find out what the issue truly was. His toxicology report came back clean, so the psychosis is not drug induced. After further testing, we received the news that my brother is experiencing symptoms of Schizophrenia. He is currently being held at a mental institution in Wisconsin, and is feeling better, although not fully back to himself. Even though my brother has been deemed mentally ill and did not intend to harm the snow plow driver, he is now being charged with attempted homicide, and will soon be shipped to jail. My family and I need to raise money to afford an attorney to fight Vauclan's case. Any donation or even a share would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you all,
Nivea Thomas
Organizer
Nivea Thomas
Organizer
Chicago, IL