Safe School Initiative (SSI)

1. Safe School Initiative (SSI) Targeted violence 1974-2000 37 incidents, 41 attackers Operational emphasis

2. Operational Questions • Idea to Action • Motive • Target Selection • Planning • Communication • Mental Illness • Key Life Factors

3. Ten Key Findings 1. School-based attacks are rarely sudden, impulsive acts. 2. Prior to the attacks, others usually knew about the attacker’s idea/plan. 3. Most attackers did not threaten their targets directly prior to the attack.

4. Ten Key Findings • There is no accurate or useful profile of the “school shooter.” • Most attackers had difficulties coping with significant losses or failures. • Most attackers had seriously concerned others in their lives prior to the attack.

6. Ten Key Findings • Many felt bullied, persecuted, or injured by others prior to the attack. • Most attackers had access to weapons – and had used weapons – prior to the attack. • In many cases, other students were involved in some capacity.

7. Ten Key Findings • Despite prompt law enforcement response, most incidents were stopped by means other than law enforcement intervention. Most incidents were very brief in duration.

8. Principles of Threat Assessment • Targeted violence is the end result of an understandable, and oftentimes discernible, process of thinking and behavior.

9. Principles of Threat Assessment • Targeted violence stems from an interaction among the individual, the situation, the setting, and the target.

10. Principles of Threat Assessment • An investigative, skeptical, inquisitive mindset is critical to successful threat assessment.

11. Principles of Threat Assessment • Effective threat assessment is based upon facts, rather than characteristics or “traits.”

12. Principles of Threat Assessment • An “integrated systems approach” should guide threat assessment inquiries and investigations.

13. Principles of Threat Assessment • The central question in a threat assessment inquiry is whether a student poses a threat, not whether the student made a threat.

14. Eleven Key Questions: #1 • What are the student’s motive(s) and goals?

15. Eleven Key Questions: #2 • Have there been any communications suggesting ideas or intent to attack?

16. Eleven Key Questions: #3 • Has the student shown inappropriate interest in any of the following? • school attacks or attackers; • weapons (including recent acquisition of any relevant weapon); • incidents of mass violence (terrorism, workplace violence, mass murderers).

17. Eleven Key Questions: #4 • Has the student engaged in attack-related behaviors?

18. Eleven Key Questions: #5 • Does the student have the capacity to carry out an act of targeted violence?

19. Eleven Key Questions: #6 • Is the student experiencing hopelessness, desperation and/or despair?

20. Eleven Key Questions: #7 • Does the student have a trusting relationship with at least one responsible adult?

21. Eleven Key Questions: #8 • Does the student see violence as an acceptable — or desirable — or the only — way to solve problems?

22. Eleven Key Questions: #9 • Are the student’s conversation and “story” consistent with his or her actions?

23. Eleven Key Questions: #10 • Are other people concerned about the student’s potential for violence?

24. Eleven Key Questions: #11 • What circumstances might affect the likelihood of an attack?

25. Key Finding School climate affected whether bystanders came forward with information related to the threats.