Q23: The Shooter

Image by dietcheese from Pixabay

Curiosity
Similar to you, I get curious about "The Shooter" in mass shootings. I want to know all about this person from their childhood through the time of the murdering of innocent people. For me, it is a matter of wanting to know the catalyst for such a heinous act and most importantly, how did society fail this person to the point of committing a mass murder? In my mind, it is unbelievable tragic and I am sure that it leaves many of you wondering things such as,

• What kind of person would do this to innocent people?
• Did other people know?
• Was this planned?
• Did they leave any evidence?
• What about mental health?
• Did they kill animals as a child?
• Were there any signs?

I know that many of you, similar to me, look for patterns of behavior. Pictures of these individuals are, of course, all over the media after the shootings and it is easy to draw conclusions about them based upon what is shown. However, it is a well-documented fact that many mass shooters in the United States have been white males. While it is important to recognize this pattern, it is also important to avoid making broad generalizations about all white males or assuming that all mass shooters fit a single profile. Mass shootings are not solely a white male problem either because people of all races and genders have committed mass shootings.

All of our communities are impacted by the devastating effects of gun violence. Still, given the fact that white men account for the majority of mass shootings, has our society done a disservice to them by ignoring their problems simply because they are, well white men? If we are, then we need to develop a comprehensive approach that addresses the complex interplay of factors, such as the examples below, that contribute to these tragedies: 

1. ​Ideological or political beliefs: Some mass shooters are motivated by extremist ideologies or political beliefs, which they feel justify their violent actions
2. Access to weapons: The availability of firearms can make it easier for individuals to carry out mass shootings
3. Personal grievances: Many mass shooters have experienced feelings of isolation, rejection, or humiliation and may be seeking revenge against those they perceive to have wronged them
4. Copycat behavior: The media attention given to mass shootings can inspire others to carry out similar attacks
5. Mental illness: Some shooters may have a history of mental illness or have experienced traumatic life events that may have contributed to their violent behavior.

The Shooter
Not all shooters have been diagnosed with a form of mental illness. Yet, one of the first justifications about the shooter is that the person is mentally ill, especially if the shooter is white and male. Some media sources discuss the cause of a person's decision to conduct a mass shooting as being due to mental illness more than they do easy access to guns or allowing families to grieve. Mental illness can impact people of all races and genders, and solely focusing on mental illness as the cause for mass shootings has not lessened the number of incidences of mass shootings in the United States.

Recognize that men, overall, are more violent than women. Men tend to internalize their problems, (see my blog about "Pay Attention To Men's Mental Health), www.lisaligginschambers.com/questions/q21-men and are more angry often blaming others for their challenges. These men are in crisis and have legal access to fire arms to relieve themselves of their negative feelings by murdering others and sometimes themselves.

The Shooter Characteristics

• Angry
• Young
• White
• Men
• Experience multiple stressors
  • Finances
  • Work
  • Mental health
  • Relationships 
• Sense of Entitlement
  • Starts in early childhood

Our society should discuss a sense of entitlement as a characteristic of the white male shooter. I must share with you that I observe this behavior frequently with white male children. It starts young, as early as 2-years-old. Some parents allow physical and verbal aggression toward them by their male children. Others ignore the negative behaviors and discuss their son's behaviors as, "That's what boys do." All the while, these children are laughing, smiling, and hitting their parents in the heads with toys for example, and without consequences for their behaviors. 

The lack of discipline, redirection, or structure reinforces the child's thinking that, it is okay to hurt others. In other words, harming others achieves what they want, (i.e., attention, food, and affection). These boys grow up with a sense of entitlement until society teaches them that this behavior is unacceptable, and they feel angry about it. Masculinity can be questioned and acts of violence, including mass shootings, can make them feel more masculine. As sad as it is, their anger can also stem from racial hatred, misogyny, and political rhetoric that does not condemn white men for this type of violence, but supports it against minorities. This, in turn, keeps up their ideologies and justifies their decision to partake in a mass shooting. This societal privilege is a learned behavior. It is afforded to white men simply because of their race and gender. This privilege can manifest in various ways, such as in the workplace, in politics, in education, and in social situations. Due to this white male entitlement, they receive lower levels of scrutiny and suspicion from law enforcement when crimes are committed. In the case of mass shootings they, nor their copycats, fear repercussions for their decisions to engage in mass shootings. 

Decreasing Mass Shootings
Our society needs more interventions in place BEFORE these tragedies happen, including the following:

• Develop early intervention-based violence programs
• Increase domestic violence intervention programs for children and teenagers
• Shift the media attention from the shooter to the victim
  • There is a complex relationship between shooters and media attention. In some cases, shooters may commit violent acts in an attempt to gain attention and notoriety, which can be amplified by media coverage.
  • Media coverage of mass shootings can have a "contagion" effect, in which individuals who are already at risk for committing violence are further influenced by the attention and validation received by previous shooters. This can lead to a cycle of violence and media coverage, with each shooting sparking more coverage and potentially inspiring future shooters.
  • Some experts argue that the media should exercise caution in their coverage of shootings, and avoid sensationalizing the event or giving too much attention to the perpetrator. This can include not using the shooter's name or image, not dwelling on their motives or background, and focusing on the victims and the impact of the shooting on the community.
  • Others argue that the media has a responsibility to report on these events in order to inform the public and hold those in power accountable. It is a delicate balance between providing accurate and informative reporting while also avoiding glorification or romanticization of the shooter.

 

• Strengthen Gun Laws: We can start by changing our gun policies. I will stand by there being no reason for civilians to have access to assault rifles. Strengthening gun laws can be an important step in reducing gun violence and promoting public safety. There are many ways in which gun laws can be strengthened, including:
  • Universal background checks: Requiring background checks for all gun purchases, including private sales and gun shows, can help prevent guns from getting into the hands of individuals who are prohibited from owning them, such as felons and individuals with a history of domestic violence.
  • Red flag laws: Enabling law enforcement to remove guns temporarily from individuals who pose a threat to themselves or others can prevent suicides and mass shootings.
  • Assault weapons ban: Prohibiting the sale and ownership of military-style semi-automatic firearms and high-capacity magazines can limit the lethality of mass shootings.
  • Waiting periods: Requiring a waiting period between the purchase and possession of a gun can prevent impulsive acts of violence.
  • Safe storage requirements: Requiring guns to be stored safely can prevent accidental shootings and unauthorized access to firearms by children or individuals who are not legally allowed to possess them.

 

• Schools: Build trauma-informed schools or allow the mental health professionals in schools to do their jobs and not 100 other ones in the building. Trauma-informed schools are educational institutions that have made a commitment to understanding and responding to the impact of trauma on students' academic and emotional well-being. These schools recognize that many students have experienced trauma, including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, neglect, exposure to violence, and other adverse childhood experiences. Trauma-informed schools aim to create a safe and supportive environment that helps students build resilience and recover from the effects of trauma. Some key elements of a trauma-informed school include:
  • Understanding trauma and its effects: Educators and staff members are trained to recognize the signs of trauma and to understand how trauma affects students' academic and emotional functioning.
  • Promoting safety and trust: Trauma-informed schools prioritize safety and trust in all interactions between students and staff, and work to create a supportive environment that promotes healing.
  • Fostering resilience: Trauma-informed schools help students develop resilience by providing social-emotional learning opportunities, promoting healthy coping strategies, and encouraging positive relationships with peers and adults.
  • Building partnerships: Trauma-informed schools work collaboratively with families, mental health professionals, and other community resources to provide comprehensive support to students.
  • Avoiding retraumatization: Trauma-informed schools are mindful of potential triggers and avoid practices that could retraumatize students, such as punitive discipline policies or insensitive language.

 

• Increase Support Networks for all men. Increasing support networks for men can be an important step in promoting men's mental health and well-being, and addressing issues such as toxic masculinity and gender-based violence. Here are some ways in which support networks for men can be increased:
  • Peer support groups: Peer support groups can provide a safe and confidential space for men to share their experiences, build connections, and receive support from others who have gone through similar challenges.
  • Mental health services: Access to mental health services that are tailored to men's needs, such as therapy that focuses on issues like anger management, stress management, and relationships can be particularly beneficial. Address social isolation and disconnections as well.
  • Fatherhood support programs: Programs that provide support to fathers, such as parenting classes, can help fathers develop positive relationships with their children and improve their mental health.
  • Workplace support: Employers can provide support for male employees through employee assistance programs, flexible work arrangements, and other benefits that promote work-life balance and mental health.
  • Education and awareness: Raising awareness about men's mental health issues and promoting gender equality can help reduce stigma and increase support for men. Improve access to mental health care and address social isolation and disconnection.

 

• Promote community-based violence prevention programs. Community-based violence prevention programs can be effective in reducing violence by addressing the root causes of violence and empowering communities to take action. Here are some ways in which community-based violence prevention programs can be promoted:
  • Grassroots organizing: Grassroots organizing can help build community-led efforts to prevent violence, by bringing together community members and providing them with the tools and resources to take action.
  • Youth engagement: Engaging young people in violence prevention efforts can help prevent youth violence and promote positive youth development. Programs that provide mentoring, after-school activities, and leadership opportunities can be particularly effective.
  • Partnering with community organizations: Partnering with community organizations, such as faith-based groups, community centers, and local nonprofits can help expand the reach and impact of violence prevention programs.
  • Addressing social determinants of violence: Violence prevention programs should address the social determinants of violence, such as poverty, racism, and other forms of social inequality, in order to promote community well-being and address the root causes of violence.
  • Advocacy and policy change: Violence prevention programs should be supported by advocacy and policy change efforts that address systemic issues that contribute to violence, such as the availability of guns and access to mental health services.

Summary
It is important to note that not all individuals who fit these characteristics will become mass shooters, and that there is no single profile that can accurately predict who will engage in this type of violence. Additionally, it is important to avoid making assumptions or stereotypes based on a shooter's race, gender, or other demographic factors, as this can perpetuate harmful biases and distract from effective solutions to prevent future tragedies and promote a safer and more just society for everyone.

---