Mother of Oakdale murder suspect speaks out | News

STOCKTON, CA - The mother of a 25-year-old man accused of shooting two people to death outside an Oakdale market claimed her son suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Ryan Mazzariello is suspected of killing a 15-year-old boy and a 20-year-old man Sunday night.  Detectives with the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Department still haven't released a motive for the violence.   His mother said there are two factors.

"He told me, over the last year, he had problems with gang- bangers, people in the neighborhood threatening him and other military," said the woman, who doesn't want her name disclosed.

She said her son told her shortly after the shootings, "Mom, I did a terrible thing."  She also said her son was capable of the violence after developing what she believes is PTSD after years in the National Guard.

"He'd wake up screaming, with delusions , spaced-out, feeling inadequate.  He didn't feel part of society," his mother said.

She said she's not certain, but believes her son tried to get help in the military for his issue.   She wants other military members in similar situations to get assistance.

"They're not going to get help.  They have to hit rock-bottom.  Someone has to grab hold of them and help them.  They're soldiers -- self sufficient.  They help us, we don't help them," she said.

by tdaly@news10.net