RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- In both the Michigan shooting and the shooting on the North Carolina coast , the alleged gunmen had military ties. Both had also at one point served at Camp Lejeune. Both served in Iraq. And they were the same age.

It's why local military advocates and VA specialists are hoping it can shine a light on helping veterans get the care that they need.

Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, the suspect in Michigan , served in the military from 2004 to 2008, with his last duty assignment at Camp Lejeune.

Nigel Edge, 40, the suspect in the Southport case , was a combat Marine and Purple Heart recipient who later reported suffering from PTSD .

"It's always very sad to hear about these kind of events. They're rare. A lot of people worry that veterans are somehow coming back

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