Another Failure of Deinstitutionalization

And a tragedy. From July 6, 2007 WLKY channel 32:

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Police are calling the causes of death for two people found dead together in an apartment at the 1000 block of Muhammad Ali Boulevard a double homicide.

Metro police said a mother, Bonnie Porter, 45, and her son, Leon Porter, 28, were found dead in the apartment Thursday. Investigators said the son fired several rounds at the mother and, while defending herself, she shot him in the head, resulting in both their deaths.

Family members said Leon was being treated for mental illness.

And one of the reasons that I generally support efforts to identify those who are mentally ill, and either hospitalize them, or make the existing gun control mechanisms work. We don't know how Leon got a gun. Maybe the existing background check systems wouldn't have helped. It doesn't seem like it could have made this situation any worse.