Who Writes a Manifesto? An Analysis of U.S. K-12 School Shooters

• In Event: Their Own Words: Online Behavior, Manifestos, and Techniques of Neutralization

Abstract

Researchers have examined the linguistic characteristics of manifestos and legacy tokens, however, there is a gap in knowledge regarding the individual characteristics that may impact whether one writes a manifesto before committing a violent act. Manifestos and other writings left by school shooters illustrate the individual’s grievances, motivations, perspectives, and more. However, the majority of school shooters do not leave a manifesto. It may be that the likelihood of writing a manifesto is influenced by individual shooter characteristics in U.S. school shooters. Using data from The American School Shooting Study (TASSS) database that spans from 1990-2020, this study will address what individual characteristics predict whether school shooters leave a manifesto or related composition. Predictive models and comparative analyses will be used to illustrate the differences in who does and does not leave a manifesto. Results may assist in improving risk assessment and detection efforts.

Authors

• Keara A. Werth, Michigan State University

• Steven Chermak, Michigan State University