Jase Shore, a former infantry soldier, just told a heart-pounding story of service and perseverance. His traumatic journey started with his 2007 deployment to Baghdad. An avid outdoors-man, Jase is a devoted family man, happily married with four children. His life truly changed when he found himself in the crossfire of a murder that would challenge his mental fortitude and expose his valor.
During his time in Baghdad, Jase lived under daily bombing threats and other potential lethal conditions. This harrowing experience shaped his understanding of life and death for years to come. Years later, while in Sydney for a role handover, he received a phone call from his then-fiancée, now his wife, who informed him of the murder of Michaela Dunn. This incident would soon combine Jase’s recent experiences with his new reality.
On that fateful day, it was Jase’s turn to take an Uber. A moment later, 18-year-old Mert Ney—the man suspected of killing Michaela Dunn that morning—appeared before him. Without thinking, he leapt from his vehicle and gave chase to Ney. “If your instant reaction is to run away, that’s okay,” Jase stated, reflecting on the instinctive urge to take action in the face of danger. His instinctive, spur of the moment decision placed him among a handful of other bystanders who stopped Ney with makeshift weapons—pieces of furniture.
The Union’s bravery, along with Jase and everyone else involved in this incident, hasn’t gone unnoticed. In March, he was awarded a Group Bravery Citation for his actions that day. This recent recognition highlighted his continued dedication to public safety. Perhaps most importantly, it raised awareness of the mental hurdles that so many veterans face when returning home after their trauma.
Finding his way through civilian life after military service has been a struggle for Jase. In his struggle for relief, he’s even turned to military mental health services. Today, he works closely with a psychologist who helps him to work through the trauma of what he has experienced. It’s this ongoing support that has been so important for him. It allows him to keep his family life and image in order even as the shadows of his past close in around him.
Jase’s family continues to be the driving force behind his journey to recovery. His wife and two children provide him with unconditional love and stability. This support has been instrumental in helping him manage history from his military service and the recent tragedy that struck Sydney. Through it all, their bond gives him the motivation to continue on his journey, even as post-traumatic stress continues to challenge him.
