The Violence Project's Jillian Peterson spoke with reporters at Kare 11 about the risk factors for mass shooters. While there was no pattern, the number of risk factors people experienced before a mass shooting was consistent. There was also often a trigger before the shooting, and suicidality was common among mass shooters. Dr. Peterson also … [Read more...]
MN researchers’ mass shooter database gets federal funding
Study Could Soon Bring Student Researchers Face-to-Face With Mass Shooters
Dr. Jillian Peterson and Dr. James Densley are leading a team of student researchers in studying mass shootings. A recent grant from the US Department of Justice will allow the research team to interview five living mass shooters and people from their communities. They plan to discuss their initial findings at an event on Hamline's campus. … [Read more...]
Why the usual approach to school security isn’t working
Mass shootings are becoming increasingly deadly. Recent studies have demonstrated that active shooter drills may increase anxiety and fear among students, as well as contribute to a negative school culture, which is a risk factor for school violence. Data indicates that before mass violence takes place, there is typically an immediate trigger in … [Read more...]
Mass shootings aren’t more frequent, but they are deadlier
It can sometimes seem as though mass shootings are occurring more frequently. Researchers who have been studying such crimes for decades say they aren't, but they have been getting deadlier. In the five years since a gunman killed 20 children and six adults at a Connecticut elementary school, the nation has seen a number of massacres topping the … [Read more...]
Hamline team researches the ‘why’ behind mass shootings
The Violence Project's Jillian Peterson sat down with Jana Shortal to discuss her research into mass shooters. As opposed to looking at mass shootings individually, Peterson and a team of students are looking at more than 25 years of mass shootings to compile a list of 130 mass shooters and identify commonalities. "When we try to prevent crime, … [Read more...]