A potential predictor of mass shootings is suicidality. Dr. Jillian Peterson shared that her latest analysis showed that 80 percent of the perpetrators were suicidal before the shooting, which she says it is key to understanding their actions. “In every case, this was intended to be their final act. They are murders, but they are murder-suicides. … [Read more...]
How suicide prevention may help stop mass killers before they start shooting
Guns, Hate, and Inaction: Ken Rudin’s Political Junkie Episode #289
The horrific acts of gun violence in El Paso and Dayton sound awfully familiar, and so has been the political reaction. As for the argument that this is more a mental health issue than a gun issue, Jillian Peterson, a psychology professor at Hamline University, talks about the mindset of those who commit gun crimes. It’s maddening enough for … [Read more...]
Here’s what we know about the suspected gunmen in the El Paso, Dayton shootings
In the aftermath of two deadly mass shootings, The Violence Project's co-founder James Densley spoke with reporters at Global News on Tuesday about how to identify mass shooters and prevent future shootings. Urging people to recognize warning signs of a person being in crisis, Densley says, "If we’re a little bit more attuned to when people are … [Read more...]
Mass shootings can be contagious, research shows
Are mass shootings truly contagious? According to expert, Dr. Jillian Peterson, it's a form of social contagion, somewhat like a suicide contagion - that's when a high-profile suicide leads to more people to take their own lives. For example, following the suicide of actor Robin Williams, researchers documented a 10% spike in suicides in the months … [Read more...]
Violence Project Seeks To Shift Focus From Reaction To Prevention In Mass Shootings
The Violence Project's Jillian Peterson spoke with reporters from WCCO news after appearing on CBS This Morning. They discussed Dr. Peterson's research and findings about common risk factors. Watch the segment or read about it here. Source: WCCO News Author: Kate Raddatz … [Read more...]