With 2022 shaping up to be the 2nd most violent year on record with 648 mass shootings, second only to 2021 which had 690 reported mass shootings, Americans must begin to examine whether we are doing enough as a community to police each other. Six of the nine deadliest mass shootings in the United States since 2018 were by people who were 21 or younger, an extreme demographic shift from earlier decades. Mass shooters are mostly all young post-teen males, and are our sons, brothers, neighbors, classmates, and co-workers.
So, what has changed? Growing up in the 1960s and 70s, people like myself all remember the school yard bully, a more recognizable and predictable condition associated with navigating through your teenage years. Those two descriptives allowed parents, law enforcement officers, school administrators, social workers, and mental health experts plenty of opportunity to mitigate the escalation of a more violent occurrence because the school bully was a visible known entity. Unfortunately, 21st century factors like greater access to high powered firearms, social isolation, violent digital gaming and social media radicalization has in addition to arming young men with deadly weapons, provided cover and concealment for our most troubled individuals.
Whether you define a mass shooting by one or more incidents occurring by one or more shooters, the relationship between shooter and victim, violence resulting in multiple injuries or deaths, or shootings occurring in public or private spaces, the profile of the mass shooter is very recognizable in most cases. Obvious personality flaws such as an outwardly aggressive demeanor, depression, moodiness, overt conspiratorial and/or radical ranting, are some of the telltale signs exhibited well in advance of most mass shootings. While a shooter’s motive may be revenge, attention, infamy, or all the above, calling out these individuals requires all of us to be active observers and act on our suspicions.
In the vast majority of these shootings there is a common thread shared by these young shooters. Post shooting manifestos, and an assortment of digital diary postings left behind by these shooters detail young men who see themselves as losers, with an overwhelming drive to show everybody they are not. In the case of the Buffalo, NY shooter, where all the victims targeted were African American, the motive was to impress an online community of racists. In the case of the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas it was about returning to the place where the shooter felt disrespected.
What to look for-What to do
You don’t have to be a trained police officer or mental health expert to spot signs of radicalization. Parents and family are likely to be the first in a long line to observe teens and young adults transitioning downward. This often begins with long periods of isolation from family and friends and conversations that trigger reactionary scripted speeches and an unwillingness or inability to discuss alternative points of view. While much attention has been given to recent teenage adolescent shooters, adult men also share proportionately in numerous mass shooting events. There are many common profile traits such as isolation and withdrawal, overt expressions of extremist views/comments/threat and an obsession with and secrecy around the internet and social networking sites. While family and friends again remain the shooter’s primary point of social contact with the outside world, teachers, employers and co-workers will also be exposed to signs of radicalization.
As a community the first line of defense is a strong offense. This begins with an open line of communication, being a good listener and a better observer. Follow your gut intuition and question suspect behaviors. Share your thoughts and impressions with others to obtain validation and support. Do not hesitate to secure any access to a firearm, including those that are lawfully owned by the troubled individual. Encourage positive activities with local groups that can build confidence and trust in that individual. Since the root source of radicalized ideology is often experienced through heavy TV or internet content exposure, don’t immediately cut off any opportunity to gather facts and evidence of radicalization that could support a legal mental health or law enforcement intervention.
The impact and effect of mass shootings on survivors and communities while still being assessed are well-documented. We are at a critical point now in America on deciding which prevention and mitigation strategies are working. While more policy measures are being debated to reduce gun access and empower the police and mental health community with greater intervention authority, the burgeon of self-policing rests with each of us. The detrimental effects of gun violence extend far beyond the harm to the direct victims and their families.
Investing in Your Physical Security
While policy decisions get sorted out by government officials, the most immediate proactive steps communities can take to mitigate a mass shooting is by improving the security of physical structures to prevent an armed intrusion. The goal of a well-planned physical security solution is threefold: provide notice to those responsible for access control, establish multiple layers to help delay the attack and formulate a tactical response. This includes the installation of complete access control systems that integrate video surveillance, improved lighting, reinforced doors and lock systems, digital access identification and network notification systems. For those folks responsible for public event organizing, advancing and broadening security strategies and logistics beyond simple rope lines approaches, should include full-perimeter barriers, the use of metal detectors, limit carry-in containers protocols, bag searches and more.
At Integrated Security Services, our team of Security and Safety experts can help assess your risks and vulnerabilities. We have industry experts available 24/7 to answer all technical, procedural, staffing and emergency preparedness questions. We can be reached at our toll-free number 888 808.9119 or via email at info@intesecurity.com.
