14 DAY TRIAL // Michael Jace dealt a devastating blow to his family on Sunday, May 19, when he shot his wife dead in front of their two small children, in their home in Hyde Park, California. The two children, both under the age of 10, are said to have been left “traumatized” after witnessing such a horrible event.
The 51-year-old actor, best known for his work in the TV series “The Shield” was reported to had been in deep financial troubles at the time of the killing, being over half a million dollars in debt. Though the police investigation is still being carried out at the moment, there are numerous indications that the this might have been the reason Michael Jace lost his self-control.
Police confirmed that the two boys were removed from the home on the night of the shooting and taken to the station, where they remained until Child Protection Services employees arrived and took them to the home of a close relative.
Now, there are speculations about the mental state of the boys after witnessing such a scarring event. Mental health expert Steven Ornstein spoke with Hollywoodlife and explained what the issues were with such an occurrence and what the proper steps would be towards recovery.
“Any child who has to witness their own father shooting their mother dead will be traumatized and suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. These young boys, both under the age of ten, have a long road of recovery in front of them,” Steven began his argument.
“They will have to deal with the guilt and shame attached to having a father who murdered their mother. They of course will need extensive professional counseling, but they first need to be settled in a safe and protective environment,” he goes on, reassuring that there is hope for these boys to save them from the emotional trauma.
Though the police have been very close-lipped about the investigation, sources from the press uncovered that Michael Jace had a history of violent behavior, made evident by court documents from his divorce from his first wife that alleged he had no trouble in abusing her in front of their infant child.
Ironically, Michael's current wife, April, the one he allegedly shot to death on Sunday, had testified in court that Jace was a good husband and father. It's still not known what could have driven the actor to such a heinous crime, but it was reported that he himself made the 911 call that drove police to his door on the night of the shooting, admitting to them that he had indeed shot his wife.