We have studied every mass shooting since 1966. Here's what we've learned about the shooters

[Roland99]

We have studied every mass shooting since 1966. Here’s what we’ve learned about the shooters
https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2019-08-04/el-paso-dayton-gilroy-mass-shooters-data

First, the vast majority of mass shooters in our study experienced early childhood trauma and exposure to violence at a young age. The nature of their exposure included parental suicide, physical or sexual abuse, neglect, domestic violence, and/or severe bullying. The trauma was often a precursor to mental health concerns, including depression, anxiety, thought disorders or suicidality.

Second, practically every mass shooter we studied had reached an identifiable crisis point in the weeks or months leading up to the shooting. They often had become angry and despondent because of a specific grievance. For workplace shooters, a change in job status was frequently the trigger. For shooters in other contexts, relationship rejection or loss often played a role. Such crises were, in many cases, communicated to others through a marked change in behavior, an expression of suicidal thoughts or plans, or specific threats of violence.

Third, most of the shooters had studied the actions of other shooters and sought validation for their motives. People in crisis have always existed. But in the age of 24-hour rolling news and social media, there are scripts to follow that promise notoriety in death. Societal fear and fascination with mass shootings partly drives the motivation to commit them. Hence, as we have seen in the last week, mass shootings tend to come in clusters. They are socially contagious. Perpetrators study other perpetrators and model their acts after previous shootings. Many are radicalized online in their search for validation from others that their will to murder is justified.

Fourth, the shooters all had the means to carry out their plans. Once someone decides life is no longer worth living and that murdering others would be a proper revenge, only means and opportunity stand in the way of another mass shooting. Is an appropriate shooting site accessible? Can the would-be shooter obtain firearms? In 80% of school shootings, perpetrators got their weapons from family members, according to our data. Workplace shooters tended to use handguns they legally owned. Other public shooters were more likely to acquire them illegally.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

1. This is so, so important.

Each of these points is as important as the others.

[Roland99]

2. Found this, too... "Why are white men carrying out more mass shootings?"

Why are white men carrying out more mass shootings?
https://news.sky.com/story/why-are-white-men-more-likely-to-carry-out-mass-shootings-11252808

"Men also have unequal access to guns and training in using weapons like handguns and rifles.

"Three-quarters of mass murders will use firearms and so that unequal access to the training is relevant."

Professor Wilson added that men tend to have fewer support networks outside the family unit and their workplace, which can be problematic if one of those breaks down.

He said: "Men all over the world have these experiences, but they don't carry out mass murders.

...

"The reason is that we have different gun laws.

[aikoaiko]

3. This is why I was disappointed in the APA's recent statement.

The APA tried to discount the mental health issue in its statement.
https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2019/08/statement-shootings

"Routinely blaming mass shootings on mental illness is unfounded and stigmatizing. Research has shown that only a very small percentage of violent acts are committed by people who are diagnosed with, or in treatment for, mental illness."

Limiting the "mental illness" factor only to those diagnosed or in treatment for that mental illness is disingenuous. Of course, many of those suffering from mental illness are not in treatment or diagnosed. That's the fuckin problem.

As the article/study in the OP found, many of the shooters were suffering in one way or another and psychologists would have treated them had they presented themselves with their thoughts and feelings.

[GeorgeGist]

4. +1

[catrose]

5. They did point out that domestic violence is a common factor.

“We know that a history of violence is the single best predictor of who will commit future violence,” APA CEO Arthur Evans, Jr., said.
More and more links at
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/8/8/1877627/-Mental-Illness-Doesn-t-Predict-Mass-Shootings-But-Domestic-Violence-Does

[aikoaiko]

7. APA did not. They ducked out.

That's the thing is the psychologists treat people who have trauma and/or acting aggressively/violently all the time and they submit DSM codes to insurance companies when they do.

To dodge the mental illness through narrow definition was terrible.

[smirkymonkey]

6. How many women have experienced these exact same traumas in childhood?

How many women go on to become mass murderers? Toxic masculinity is the problem here.

[Stinky The Clown]

8. Kinda, but the bigger problem is . . . . . GUNZ