Mass shootings are complex events, often with an array of causes and no single explanation. Beyond the clear motives such as revenge, ideology or a desire for notoriety, lie elaborate and multifaceted reasons that are difficult to unravel.
These motivations may be a combination of personal, social, psychological and environmental factors, making it extremely difficult to pinpoint a single cause. It is important to approach the topic with an understanding of its intricacy and that there are many factors involved when considering solutions to address this issue.
Jillian Peterson, an associate professor of criminology at Hamline University, and James Densley, a professor of criminal justice at Metro State University, took it upon themselves to gain a more meaningful and evidence-based understanding of why mass shooters do what they do. They collected data regarding every mass shooter since 1996 and every shooting incident at schools, workplaces and places of worship since 1999. Peterson and Densley acknowledge the importance of a nationwide understanding about mass shooters, emphasizing that it has to evolve and that talking points about mental health need to be followed up with action.
Although it is difficult to understand the specific reason for a mass shooter’s actions, throughout their research, Peterson and Densley identified a profile for a typical mass shooter. In an interview conducted by Politico, they share the results of their research.
“There’s a really consistent pathway. Early childhood trauma seems to be the foundation – whether violence in the home, sexual assault, parental suicides, extreme bullying. Then you see the build toward hopelessness, despair, isolation, self-loathing, oftentimes rejection from peers. That turns into a really identifiable crisis point where they’re acting differently. Sometimes they have previous suicide attempts,” Peterson said.
According to Peterson and Densley, the emotional distress that mass shooters may exhibit is different from traditional suicide because it is projected outward. They try to find the answer to their pain. They wonder whose fault it is for the emotions and deep dissatisfaction they are feeling with themselves. Mass shootings are very often acts of violent suicide.
“I don’t think most people realize that these are suicides, in addition to homicides. Mass shooters design these to be their final acts. When you realize this, it completely flips the idea that someone with a gun on the scene is going to deter this. If anything, that’s an incentive for these individuals. They are going in to be killed,” Densley said. “It’s hard to focus on the suicide because these are horrific homicides. [But], it’s a critical piece because we know so much from the suicide prevention world that can translate here.”
Understanding the pathway to violence for these individuals is critical as it can lead to the building of data driven solutions. Licensed marriage and family therapist Megan O’Donnell, primarily works with adolescents in Marin, and understands the importance of mental health and the potential correlation between childhood trauma and mass shootings.
“It doesn't surprise me that there is a connection between trauma and shootings. There are likely many different reasons why this happens and I imagine that in some cases there is psychosis in terms of people not being able to differentiate between reality and fantasy,” O’Donnell said. “As well as potential rage in seeking attention. It’s an extremely complex topic. However, I definitely think the importance of mental health cannot be overlooked.”
Addressing mental health is essential for promoting overall well-being and quality of life. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, nearly 10 million people in the United States suffer from a mental health condition that severely interferes with major life activities. If left untreated or ignored, it can significantly impact an individual’s mental, emotional and social state which affects their ability to function in daily life.
“We need resources at institutions like schools. We need to build teams to investigate when kids are in crisis and then link those kids to mental health services. The problem is that in a lot of places, those services are not there,” Peterson said. “Schools are the ideal setting because it doesn’t require a parent to take you there. A lot of perpetrators are from families where the parents are not particularly proactive about mental health appointments.”
However, providing mental health services is not the only solution to this complex issue. “There are things we can do right now as individuals, like safe storage of firearms or something as simple as checking in with your kid,” Densley said.
When faced with complex issues, oftentimes it is impossible to pinpoint the primary reason for the issue. Therefore, addressing gun violence in the United States requires an approach that prioritizes safety, prevention and community engagement.
Image courtesy of npr