‘Warning Signs’ for School Shooters Called Too Broad
Clinical and forensic psychologists warn that “classic” warning signs of violence, like being bullied or isolated, don’t necessarily predict whether someone is going to harm others.
Landwebs
After the deadly school shooting at a Michigan high school, many are debating the importance of identifying “warning signs” that the suspect would have exhibited before the deadly attack. While the prosecution argues that the suspect displayed enough warning signs to sound alarm bells, a psychologist cautions that warning signs are too broad to predict if someone is going to commit violence, Insider explains. A clinical and forensic psychologist said the despondent, angry or depressed profiles that many think of when looking at school shooters in history don’t show the full picture. They argue that the truth of the matter is: “you’ve just described half of Americans.” Some researchers also take this a step further, writing that even the “darker warning signs” like violent writings, bragging about weapons, and interest in past school shooters are not indicators that someone will commit an act of violence.
