ASSOCIATE Magazine FBINAA Q4-2024

WHAT TO SEE, AND WHO TO TELL A FOCUSED CAMPAIGN TO PREVENT MASS VIOLENCE

T. R. R. CILKE AND BRADLEY HENTSCHEL

Days before the start of a new school year, an eighth grade student talked online about his plan to die in a school shooting. Without much evidence and on a short timeline, investigators in a small department in the western United States decided their best option for managing the situation would be to interview the student’s mother. She was surprised when police knocked on her door and then shocked when they showed her the messages. She couldn’t believe it was her son. She thought maybe it was a joke since he wouldn’t hurt anyone. Sure, they had their struggles, but she was doing her best and had no concern her son would really hurt himself or anyone else.

18 FBINAA.ORG | Q4 2024