Does your child know the next School Shooter?

While provocative, this question needs to be discussed. It needs to be asked. It needs to be considered by you and your children daily. The tragic event in Florida on February 14^th is just one of many school shootings that have become an epidemic in our country. As a society, we have become desensitized to violence. Sadly, as the investigation into this event unfolds, it is becoming increasingly evident that the shooter had displayed ample behavior and conduct which should have led authorities to this individual long before he had the opportunity to murder 17 innocent students and teachers yesterday.

Yes, I know hindsight is ’20-20′ but let’s get real here. This guy did everything to draw attention to himself except for purchase a billboard. If we look back at other school shooters, there were some indicators that all of us should be aware of.

It’s time to have a frank and open discussion with our children and grandchildren. Let’s face it; teenagers are keen observers of their peers. They can be brutal when they zero in on someone who is ‘different’. I am not talking about picking on other children or being mean to those kids who are not in with the ‘cool kids’. Its about encouraging our children to alert an adult, a teacher or law enforcement when they observe some of the known behaviors of school shooters.

What should they look for?

• Loners or children who have been ostracized from the mainstream
• Children who are infatuated with violence or war
• Children who are infatuated with firearms
• Children who are suicidal or threatening suicide
• Postings on social media about revenge or getting even
• Posting outright threats on social media
• Posting photographs of themselves with firearms/weapons
• Following (online) groups or persons who espouse extreme ideologies
• Visiting websites or downloading information on ‘how to’ make bombs, firearms, other weapons or how to commit criminal acts
• Children who talk about ‘getting revenge’ for how they have been treated
• Children who tell (or show) other students they have a firearm
• Children who have recurring discipline issues at school
• Children who harm animals

When I was working as a law enforcement officer, I was bound by the Fourth Amendment – the right to be safe from unreasonable search and seizure. However, my kids knew that the Fourth Amendment did not apply in my house. I was fully aware of most things that my kids were doing in the home, on the computer, and with their friends. Parents need to be aware of what their kids are up to and whom they are doing it with.

I will be the first to say that any one of these indicators is not proof-positive that the child is planning to be a school shooter. However, when you see several of these indicators in a child, further investigation is needed.

There is an old saying, ‘We can’t change what has happened; but we can change what is going to happen’. Sadly, there is nothing anyone can do for the victims of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. But we can be on the lookout for the next school shooter. Have this talk with your children and grandchildren today. They might just avert another tragedy.