Abstract:
In the United States and Europe, the distinction between public mass shooters and suicide
terrorists no longer seems particularly meaningful. A number of public mass shooters have
considered using bombs and claimed to be sacrificing themselves for an ideological cause, while
many suicide terrorists have attacked without organizational support, using firearms, for what
appear to be largely personal reasons. Previous research has also documented several common
factors in these offenders’ lives, including (1) suicidal motives and life indifference, (2) perceived
victimization, and (3) desires for attention or fame. These factors are not always easy for observers
to recognize in advance, so mental health professionals, the public, and law enforcement officials
may need help from experts to more successfully identity at-risk individuals. This article reviews
the evidence on each factor, provides a list of specific warning signs, and offers recommendations
for future research. Ultimately, an evidence-based approach to prevention could help save both
the lives of many potential victims and the lives of the would-be attackers themselves.
