US Mass Shootings: Exploring a Killer's Mind

Reasons for such killings

US opinion polls show wide agreement that gun violence—and more specifically mass shootings—reflect problems in identifying and treating mental health. A study by American Psychological Association states that rejection can create violence in some people. Individuals who feel isolated and rejected are more likely to behave in harmful and hurtful ways.

But psychologists say research over the last three decades has consistently shown that diagnosable mental illness does not underlie most gun violence.

In studies of school shootings, findings have determined that social exclusion is often linked to aggressive acts. Similar seems the case of Cruz - a troubled former student of the high school, who loved guns and was expelled for unspecified disciplinary reasons. 

Having said that we don't know when another gunman will unleash a hail of gunfire on innocent children and people. So what can be done to identify such criminal minds?

Profile of a shooter

Many mass shootings are motivated by revenge or envy. That's why many take place at a school or a workplace where shooters felt rejected, say psychologists. Despite that, it's difficult to predict who will kill and who won't. Millions of people will feel disaffected and vengeful, and may even lack empathy, but the vast majority would never shoot defenseless, says research.

Findings suggest that school shooters often harbor anger and paranoid delusions, have low self-esteem and hang out with an outcast group. And there is usually a triggering event - a history of abuse, infective parenting, sadistic streak, lack of compassion or a reason for revenge. They also tend to be obsessed with guns, violent video games or movies.

And if fascination with violent media and guns were predictive, the average ninth-grade boy could be considered at risk.  Having said that, what can be done to avoid such mass killings?

Mental Illness vs Gun Violence

In their book Gun Violence and Mental Illness, psychiatrists Liza Gold and Robert Simon summarize the evidence debunking the myth that mental illness is a leading cause of gun violence. As they report, less than 5% of shootings are committed by people with a diagnosable mental illness. Which means only one percent of the population is psychopathic, and only one percent of the population is schizophrenic, and sadism is so rare there is no agreed upon psychiatric diagnosis for it.

Believing that mental illness causes mass shootings can feel reassuring. It helps to believe that only a mentally ill person could do something so horrific. We also think that if someone is mentally ill, they can be identified. But the evidence suggests that mental illness only causes a small fraction of gun violence. And even if some shooters have undiagnosed mental illness, there is no evidence to suggest that they could have been diagnosed prior to their gun violence or that such a diagnosis would increase the predictive validity of a diagnosis on gun violence. 

Perpetuating the myth that mental illness is the cause of mass shootings only serves to stigmatize the mentally ill even further. In addition, it distracts from the more difficult conversation that must be had over gun-control in America

Precaution is better than cure?

Mass shootings are among the most premeditated of crimes, often planned months in advance. Nikolas Cruz reportedly wore a gas mask, carried smoke grenades, and set off the fire alarm so that students would pour out into the hallways. Though we’ll obviously learn more in the coming days, each of these things suggests careful preparation. Lack and absence of political radicalization and hints that this “ever-evolving riot” is under way.

The public cannot simply assume that the kid filling his social-media feed with menacing pictures is just in 'a phase' or that strange obsessions with murder or mass death are morbid, but harmless. Though people need to mind their business and refrain from 'not judging' others, they need to stop being their brother's keepers and make the ethic of 'see something, say something' a vital part of their lives in such cases.

Schools, on the other hand, can opt for the 'target-hardening' approach – an attempt to fortify schools against gun violence through increased security measures. These measures may include metal detectors, lockdown policies, “run, hide, fight” training and surveillance cameras.

What we know about Nikolas Cruz

As a high school freshman, Cruz was part of the U.S. military-sponsored Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corp program at the school, according to Jillian Davis, 19, a recent graduate and former fellow JROTC member at Stoneman Douglas High. Cruz had been held back twice and aspired to join the military.