The U.S. Secret Service held a targeted violence prevention seminar at Xavier University’s Cintas Center, bringing together law enforcement officers, private security teams, and mental health experts to learn how to identify warning signs and act before a crisis occurs.
Warning Signs of Mass Violence
Experts at the seminar highlighted warning signs that may indicate someone is at risk of committing mass violence, including sudden behavior changes, self-isolation, a fixation on violent or ideological themes, troubling online activity, or major personal setbacks.
Chin Rodger, the mother of a mass shooter, shared her son’s story and the warning signs she wishes she had recognized. Her son had a happy childhood but struggled with social skills, which led to envy, rage, and a desire for revenge.
The seminar addressed the importance of preventing tragedies like the shooting at the Fifth Third Center in downtown Cincinnati in 2018, where a gunman killed three people before being shot by police.
Steve Driscoll, assistant chief of the Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center, explained that the National Threat Assessment Center was established around the time of the Columbine school shooting and focuses on breaking down silos by encouraging collaboration among professionals to share best practices for preventing targeted violence.
Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.
