On the school shooters, I just thought I'd share something about them as I did (about a year ago) a huge paper on the subject for a Psyc Class. I'm just going to copy and paste portions of that paper here cause I can't remember everything exactly. Keep in mind that the purpose of the paper was about psychotropic drugs effects on the school shootings and physician abuse of the pharmaceutical industry affecting that.
Existing Theories on the School Shooters
On violence, psychology defines an “at-risk” youth as aggressive who conflicts with other peers hostilely (Santrock, 2007, p. 446). These youths tend to engage in drug interactions early on, expose themselves to frequent violent media, can gain a weapon such as a gun, and typically become involved in anti-social groups (Santrock).
The school shooter (also known as “classroom avengers” and “invisible kids”), however, is a very different case, and with that comes a different theory. The profiles of these children are that they are males who feel powerless and use violence to regain the feeling of power who usually aren’t taken seriously when they make violent threats (Santrock, 2007). Garbarino’s theory from his study (1999) that interviewed a number of these shooters is based on spiritual and emotional emptiness (as cited in Santrock), which happens to be a factor for depression (Santrock).
Many other studies have been conducted where theories are developed. Most seem to profile these shooters explaining age, sex, race, and behaviors that marked a common ground; however, none really tipped into a scientific analysis. Most believe the shooters to be white, adolescent boys from a small to mid-size town and middle class family with average to great grades. They are also usually labeled as a shy nerd or outcast who undertake a series of bullying from the more popular peers. They have interest in military type organizations. These boys will usually inform people of the violent plans with talk of suicide before the events. It is believed that the major motivating factor for their violent behavior is revenge, and many had a history of depression with suicidal desires. (Bender, Shubert, & McLauchlin, 2001; McGee & DeBernardo, 1999)
The FBI found similar results to the other studies in their own study where they analyzed 41 cases from 1974 to 2000, but they discovered the following differences: 1) shooters come from a variety of backgrounds with different ages, races, income class, and so forth; 2) most were not the social outcasts and were not considered “loners” (as cited in Dedman, 2000).
One thing to consider is that many of the factors that contribute to depression and suicide are also factors that are examined as part of the profile. For instance, family problems, lack of affection, lack of friends, and family history all contribute to depression and suicidal tendencies; in addition, boys are more likely to follow through with suicide using “more lethal means such as a gun” which also fits the profile of the majority of school shooters being male (Santrock, 2007, p. 344).
Empirical Studies on School Shooters
Most studies on the school shooters lack a scientific method. Most provide only statistics of nominal data.
Studies surrounding the topic do, however, exist. In a study performed by Thomas and Smith (2004), 282 students between the ages of 7-19 of both genders and diverse ethnic groups residing in 47 states were analyzed in two groups of violent (those who were expelled from school for violent reasons such as bringing in a weapon) and non-violent. Violent youths reported feelings of loneliness more than non-violent youths. Their anger levels were not very different as also their attitudes toward discipline. A positive correlation existed between anger discussion and popularity. Unfortunately, violent students were defined more as “at risk” youths rather than the definition of a school shooter.
Many studies have been performed regarding bullying in the schools. Nansel, Overpeck, Pilla, Ruan, Simons-Morton, & Scheidt (2001) showed that bullying was more common between grades 6-8 than 9-10th grade (as cited in Chapell et al., 2004). A bullied child exhibits reactions such as school avoidance, low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and thoughts of suicide more so than those who weren’t bullied (Chapell et al.). According to a few studies (Glendenning, 2001; O’Moore, Seigne, McGuire, and Smith, 1998; Quine, 2001; Rayner, 1997), bullying takes place beyond high school occurring more often in adult, office environments (as cited in Chapell et al.). According to a few studies (Baldry & Farrington, 1998; Olweus, 1980; Rigby, 1996), authoritarian parenting methods are correlated to child bullies (as cited in Chapell et al.). For college aged adults (n=1,025), 60% saw another student being bullied by another student while 44% saw teachers doing the bullying (Chapell et al.). While many of the school shooters were victims of bullying, these studies do not have the shooters in their sample.
According to the profile of the “Classroom Avenger” (1999) by McGee and DeBernardo (which many studies cite in their introductions), only a handful of the more infamous shootings were analyzed. In the analysis, most (if not all on some cases) were male, white, ages 11-18, middle class, living in a rural city, who made threats before the incident, got the gun from home, were social outcasts who felt victimized and suicidal with chronic anger and interests in violent media. [edited to add: according to McGee and DeBernardo] None were documented with a severe mental illness and only two were claimed to have a history of violence or police involvement. In researching each case listed in that study, one would discover that many of them were on medication with a history of mental illness and violence with police involvement.
In comparing the study with research, let it first be noted that according to the Secret Service, Gary “Scott” Pennington said that he read the book Rage by Steven King after the killing spree and not before (Dedman, 2000).
Toby Sincino was taking Zoloft as a prescription for his documented history of medical illness and had a history of violence with the school and the police including an incident where he slapped a teacher in 6th grade, shoplifting and simple assault, and was pending a case with Family Court regarding pointing and presenting a firearm (Langford, 1995).
Jamie Rouse was taking ephedrine and diphenhyramine HCI (Sominex), and both were assumed purchased over-the-counter. At one point in his junior year, he held his brother at gunpoint threatening to kill him. Spring before the shootings, he got into a fist fight with two boys at school threatening to kill them as well in front of the faculty where he faced juvenile charges and was suspended. (Goodstein & Glaberson, 2000).
Evan Ramsey was actually a popular athlete; however, his father went to prison for a shooting in Anchorage, Alaska becoming known as “The Rambo of Alaska” (Rage, 2001). In his life in foster care, Evan Ramsey experienced sexual assault by one of the other children in the home of the foster care (Ramsey vs. State, 2002). He attempted suicide at 10 years of age, and had a history of smoking marijuana (Rage, 2001). While his history of abuse and mental illness seemed to have gone undiagnosed, possibly due to his foster care status, the history of his father was made public and would play a major factor in the concept of nature versus nurture. In this case, he had nature and nurture influencing his behavior.
Luke Woodham was taking Prozac and claimed to be possessed by demons (Ramsland, n.d.). Michael Carneal was taking Ritalin (Citizens Commission on Human Rights, CCHR, 2006). Both Mitchell Johnson and Andrew Golden were taking Ritalin (CCHR). Andrew Wurst was planning to build a defense case of insanity before pleading out (Hays, 1999), and when he was arrested, according to the police, he had a small amount of marijuana on him adding drug charges to his assault and gun charges (Classes resume Monday, 1998).
Kip Kinkel was taking Prozac and receiving therapy for depression; however, he stopped both at the beginning of the school year because of his progression. He had a history of violence as he hit a boy with a “piece of a metal bar” at the age of 6. He collected weapons and showed an obsession for them. In his court trial, the defense showed his family history of severe mental illness affecting three generations on both sides of the family of schizophrenia. One of the victims stated to Kip in connection with Kip’s insanity was “I don’t care if you’re sick, if you’re insane, if you’re crazy…I don’t care. I think prison, a lifetime in prison is too good for you. If a dog was to go insane and if a dog was rabid and bit someone, you destroy it. So I stand here and I ask, why haven’t you been destroyed? I question myself for not pulling the trigger.” (Goodstein & Glaberson, 2000)
Eric Harris was seeing a psychiatrist receiving treatment for depression and obsession (Bender, Shubert, & McLauchlin, 2002). He was prescribed and taking fluvoxamine (Luvox) which is known to have side effects of psychotic and manic reaction to include delusions, irritability, and rage (Salaman, 2006). Both Harris and Dylan Klebold (the other shooter) were undergoing anger management classes, and Klebold’s prescription information, if any, was never made public (CCHR, 2006).
The unidentified student in Taber, AB, Canada, was taking prescribed Dexadrine (CCHR, 2006). T. J. Solomon was taking Ritalin (CCHR, 2006). According to Wikipedia (n.d.), Charles Andrew Williams made friends with a group of skateboarders where they spent much of their time smoking marijuana.
In order to update McGee & DeBernardo (1999), actually 10 of the 18 shooters had a documented history of a mental illness (all were the prescriptions and one for anger management). In addition to that, four more were not documented, and the other four are unknown. Two more of undocumented violence could team up with the two pieces of documented violence. Half of the shooters mentioned were taking a prescription drug with the other half being unknown (although three are pretty safe to say that they probably were not taking any prescription drugs). In addition, one of the biggest limitations to the study is the amount of shooters represented in the sample size. This new information changes a lot about the study as two new variables for consideration are added: prescribed medication and history of mental illness.
Outside of school shootings, other similar incidents occurred that were drug related, and some of the details of how things went down were similar to the school shootings. In any type of study, one would have to define what common variables make a school shooter different from other acts of similar violence. Examples of other acts not included in the McGee & DeBernardo (1999) study include Shawn Cooper of Notus, Idaho who was on SSRIs and fired a shotgun at school students and staff; Chris Fetters killed her favorite aunt while on Prozac in Idaho; Christopher Pittman killed his grandparents while on Zoloft (Salaman, 2006). A more complete listing and timeline for similar violent acts while on medications can be found at the CCHR source listed in the reference page with a web address to the pdf document, and it ranges from 1988 to 2006 covering 22 cases of prescription drug related school violence, 22 cases of other prescription drug related violence, and 4 cases of prescription drug related adult violence in schools (CCHR, 2006).
In a study by the New York Times, 100 “rampage” type murders were analyzed in the last 50 years involving 102 killers, and 63% of the cases made threats in advance, 55% showed signs of anger and aggression, and 35 killers had a history of violence. In addition, 47 killers had a history of mental illness with 20 having a history of hospitalization and 42 seeing a professional; 23 showed signs of serious depression with 49 “expressed paranoid ideas”; 24 were prescribed psychiatric drugs with 14 not taking their medication at the time of the killing. (Goodstein & Glaberson, 2000).
According to Goodstein & Glaberson (2000) results, the concept of the profile may be changing more against having one. Although their sample may have included acts of violence not associated with the “school shooter,” one cannot ignore the differences in the results, especially when a larger sample was being used.
How does all this affect high school children? According to a Gallup Youth Survey, 23% of students were afraid to go to school due to the violence. Also, 66% believe that a school shooting is likely to occur in their own community, 48% claim there are groups in their schools they believe are capable of such violence, and 64% believe parents are aware of these groups. The parents have responded to the school shootings as 80% say they have talked with their children advising them to not make fun of other students, almost 50% supervise their children’s activities closer, and 38% are more involved with the school. (Lindsay, 2003)
With a nation of teens and parents still fearful of school violence, it is imperative to continue research in finding causes and possible prevention methods in order to ascertain a concept of safety within the school system as that concept is very important to the proper, psychological growth of children and teens.
SO BASICALLY, AUTISM AND SCHOOL SHOOTINGS...how did that person put it? Fail.
On a side note, don't I write much better when it's for a grade?
Oh, and if you want to see the bibliography, let me know. I just figure this post is long enough, and I think my bibliography is 2 and a half pages.
17 Dec 2008, 9:49 pm
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The other myths I despise with great hostility would have to be that so-called Aspies must be Homosexual since he/she does not tend to act & react in the normal ways a regular person does regarding sexuality in the general sense. Honestly 
Just cause, I'm not acting like some Don Juan all over the place does not mean anything less human about such and realistically speaking, I've come across many other Aspies whom despite their social akwardness still manage to maintain their integrity as a person and carry on with life through and through.
