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. Meaning, the perpetrator doesn’t intend to make it through the shooting — they are either killed by police, they shoot themselves, or they spend the rest of their lives behind bars.” One critical pathway to stop future massacres could be to focus on suicide prevention. Other commonalities research has found among mass shooters include childhood trauma, domestic violence, or a parent’s suicide. A crisis point, such as being bullied or fired from a job, usually precedes a shooting rampage.
Source:
NBC News
Authors:
Lauren Dunn