PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Officials are sharing what led to a barricade situation in the middle of a busy downtown Phoenix street last week.
It happened in front of the federal court building Friday afternoon, and U.S. Marshals closed the street for more than an hour. The man at the center of this standoff was having a mental health crisis, according to his family.
Family members tell Arizona’s Family his name is Garry Lister. He’s 25-years-old and suffers from schizophrenia.
His sister, Randi, says she knows this could have ended much worse for her brother and wants to share a message about mental health and how it has affected her family.
“I was worried that he was going to die. Especially hearing they had guns out on him. My brain was like go to my brother go to my brother. I had to be there for him,” Randi said.
Arizona’s Family captured the moments officers led Lister to a stretcher and took him into custody. Police have not released details about the arrest, but Randi says her brother struggles with mental health and that this all started because he was driving erratically.
At one point during the encounter, Randi says officers found a way to contact her, asking how to calm her brother down.
“They were trying to stop him, but he wouldn’t stop, so it’s basically evading the police, and that’s why it got so big,” she said.
Randi says growing up, Gary was always glued to her side. “He’s respectful, kind he’s shy but outgoing at the same time.”
She says his mental illness turns him into someone she doesn’t recognize. “Having this image of my brother is sad, and I’m sure it hurts other people. He does what he can to get by in life, and I’m proud of him.”
Because Garry is over 18, Randi says it can be tough to help him manage his episodes.
“He thinks we just want to be in his business, but we just want to get him help. He understands that, but when he’s like this, he doesn’t,” Randi said.
She says Garry has had a case worker since 2020, when he was diagnosed. She explained that having one helps, but it’s still challenging to make sure he takes his medication.
Randi urges others in this situation to use what help is available.
“Get all the resources you can and put them to use I don’t want to see anyone out here hurt, especially my brother, over something like this,” she said.
Randi says she believes this situation served as a wake-up call for Garry.
Arizona’s Family is still working to get more details from investigators, including whether Lister will face any charges.
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