CRIMINALS ARE MADE, NOT BORN

Andrew Philip Kehoe

Charles Joseph Whitman

I do not quite understand what it is that compels me to type this letter. Perhaps it is to leave some vague reason for the actions I have recently performed. I do not really understand myself these days. I am supposed to be an average reasonable and intelligent young man. However, lately (I cannot recall when it started) I have been a victim of many unusual and irrational thoughts.. To Whom It May Concern: I have just taken my mother's life. I am very upset over having done it. However, I feel that if there is a heaven she is definitely there now...I am truly sorry...Let there be no doubt in your mind that I loved this woman with all my heart. I imagine it appears that I brutally killed both of my loved ones. I was only trying to do a quick thorough job...If my life insurance policy is valid please pay off my debts...donate the rest anonymously to a mental health foundation. Maybe research can prevent further tragedies of this type.

Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold

Seung-Hui Cho Thanks to you - I die!

Pekka-Eric Auvinen

“I am prepared to fight and die for my cause”, read a posting by Sturmgeist. “I, as a natural selector, will eliminate all who I see unfit, disgraces of human race and failures of natural selection.”

Matti Juhani Saari You will die next!

"I hate the human race." He also wrote: "The solution is Walther 22" One former classmate, Susanna Keronen, stated: "He was happy, a social guy – there was nothing exceptional – and he got along with people well and he was not lonely. He had friends."

In May 2002, the Secret Service published a report that examined 37 U.S. school shootings. They had the following findings:Secret Service ·Incidents of targeted violence at school rarely were sudden, impulsive acts. ·Prior to most incidents, other people knew about the attacker’s idea and/or plan to attack. ·Most attackers did not threaten their targets directly prior to advancing the attack. ·There is no accurate or useful profile of students who engaged in targeted school violence. ·Most attackers engaged in some behavior prior to the incident that caused others concern or indicated a need for help. ·Most attackers had difficulty coping with significant losses or personal failures. Moreover, many had considered or attempted suicide. ·Many attackers felt bullied, persecuted or injured by others prior to the attack. ·Most attackers had access to and had used weapons prior to the attack. ·In many cases, other students were involved in some capacity. ·Despite prompt law enforcement responses, most shooting incidents were stopped by means other than law enforcement intervention.