The Violence Prevention Project

New research out on the alarming rate of exposure to mass shotings in the United States

New op-ed with Jillian Peterson in The Minnesota Star Tribune examines one year of data on Extreme Risk Protection Orders (red flag laws) in the state: https://lnkd.in/gz-DVw9w

It was an honor to present for the The University of New Mexico Law and Mental Health series earlier this month. My presentation about data driven gun violence prevention in K-12 schools is publicly available - https://lnkd.in/gkmVf5Gd

“Suicide prevention is violence prevention. When we rebuild relationships, foster community, and invest in mental health and support systems, we create the safety nets that prevent despair from spiraling into violence.”

My latest op-ed with Jillian Peterson and David Riedman for the Los Angeles Times examines what is so unusual about the Wisconsin school shooting — and what isn’t. https://lnkd.in/g_TNYaaN

?? New Publication Announcement ?? I’m excited to share my latest peer-reviewed article with Jillian Peterson, “Exploring the Overlap: Suicidal Thoughts and Homicidal Acts Among Incarcerated Offenders,” now published in Deviant Behavior! This study examines the intersection of suicidality and homicidality through life-history interviews with 18 individuals incarcerated in Minnesota for murder or manslaughter during the pandemic era. It’s a follow up to our recent “Murder in a Time of Crisis” paper. We found that nearly all participants were somewhere on the suicide spectrum BEFORE committing homicide—a novel finding that sheds light on the shared roots of suicidality and violence. Key insights include: ? Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and mental health issues were nearly universal. ? Hopelessness and previous suicide attempts were prevalent among our sample. ? The findings highlight the need for comprehensive mental health care and early intervention to address trauma and prevent violent outcomes. The article is free open access—you can read it here: https://lnkd.in/gPua4fSy

Sharing the message that Dr. James Densley and I sent to our The Violence Prevention Project listserv today - Our heavy hearts are with the community at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin today. A teacher and student were killed, and several others were injured by a female school shooter, which is rare. In our recently released?K-12 school homicide database,?which details 349 homicides committed at K-12 schools since 2020, only 12 (3%) of the perpetrators were female. Female perpetrators tend to be 15 or 16-year-old students of the schools where the homicide took place, consistent with events in Madison yesterday.?These were mostly targeted attacks, although yesterday’s was the first in over 20 years with more than one victim killed by a female perpetrator. When we talk about school shootings, we often focus on the extremes: the rare female shooter, the high-profile massacre, the immediate horror. But if we step back, we see the same story repeated again and again. A student insider. In crisis. Suicidal.?With access to a gun. School shootings are almost never spontaneous acts of violence. They are the culmination of a profound unraveling. More than 90% of school mass shooters show clear signs of a crisis in the months or weeks leading up to their attacks—depression, mood swings, agitation, isolation, or an inability to manage daily life. And crucially, more than 90%?leak their plans ahead of time, sharing warnings with peers, posting ominous messages, or even voicing their intent outright.?Most take unsecured guns from their parents. The Madison shooting should not be remembered solely for its novel shooter but as a reminder of what we already know and what we can prevent. In peace and solidarity,? Jill and James

An honor to speak with Michel Martin on NPR this morning. I wish it was about a different topic. Thinking of the commmunity grieving at Abundant Life Christian School.

Yesterday at 10:57 a.m in Madison, a second grade student called 911 to report a shooting at school. That's a hard sentence for me to think about. It was another senseless school shooting that leaves us feeling lost and helpless. The team at The Violence Prevention Project at Hamline University is working to change that by sharing research and insights about mass shootings in the United States. I had the chance to work with their incredible researchers, Jillian Peterson, Dr. James Densley and the talented data storyteller Lea Pica, to help share their data and perspectives. I hope you’ll take a moment to explore their findings and see what actions we can all take to make a difference: https://lnkd.in/eTPUXPEU

A new study by Dr. James Densley and Jillian Peterson explores how the pandemic and civil unrest in 2020 amplified existing vulnerabilities, contributing to a 30% spike in homicides. Interviews with offenders reveal how trauma, instability, and lack of support led to tragic outcomes. To reduce future violence, we must address systemic inequities and support vulnerable communities. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gtFvmG5k