Compiled by Suzanne Sibole, Youth Risk Prevention Specialists
Verbal Clues
Direct and indirect threats
Verbalizing a violent plan
Recurrent suicide threats or statements
Expresses a wish to kill, to be killed or a wish to die
Threatens or brags about bringing a weapon to school
Threatening/harassing phone calls or emails
Expresses hopelessness, despair or depression
Speaking of violent behavior or fantasies
Excessive profanity (contextually inappropriate)
Challenging or intimidating statements
Threatening and/or loud speech
Name-calling or abusive language
Expresses feelings of being persecuted by other students and staff
Expresses admiration for school shooters
Has talked of plans for mayhem, but when questioned, says he/she was only joking
Behavioral/Physical Clues
Physical altercation, assault upon another person, frequent fighting
Knowledgeable about and/or has used weapons; access to weapons
Drawings and other creative outlets with persistent or intense violent themes
Has a preference for violent media such as bloody action films and first-person shooter games
Violent attire (camouflage fatigues, violent message shirts)
Physically intimidates peers/younger children
Following/surveilling targeted individuals
Short-fused, loss of emotional control
Destruction of property
Bullying
Victim of bullying or teasing; feels concerns are being ignored
Deteriorating physical appearance and self-care
Possession of violent literature and information pertaining to known or suspected hate groups
Inappropriate displays of emotion, particularly anger, depression or rage
Isolated and withdrawn; rejects communication
Signs or history of substance use/abuse/dependence
Signs of depression/severe mood swings
Rebellion against school authority
Identifiably violent tattoos
Does not show concern for legal and personal consequences
Downloads bomb-making recipes or detailed information on school shootings from Internet
Has developed a hit list of enemies or has drawn plans of the school
Appears to lack appropriate empathy for victim(s)
Is observed during student interview as maintaining prolonged stares
Is observed as having signs of agitation during student interview: pacing, clenching fists and teeth
Obsessions
Sees self as victim of a particular individual
Grudges and deep resentments
Particular object of desire
Perceived injustices, humiliations, disrespect
Thoughts of death or other incidents of violence
Narrow focus – “sees no way out”- tunnel vision
Publicized acts of violence
Historically violent figures
Violent music and other media
Weapons and destruction
Stalking
Thoughts
Brooding over an event where he/she was unfairly treated or humiliated
Perception of being unfairly treated
Persecutory delusions with self as victim
Paranoid
Delusions, in general
Command hallucinations
Grandiose delusions that involve power, control, destruction
Significantly deteriorated thought processes
Other
History of being bullied or teased dating back to elementary years
History of bringing a weapon to school
History of violent acts
Has been prescribed antipsychotic or antidepressant medications
If you see a collection of warning signs in someone about whom you have concerns, and are uncertain of how to proceed, read this.
Sources:
Mohandie, K. (2002). School Violence Threat Assessment, San Diego: Specialized Training Services
Lieberman, J.A. (2008). School Shootings, New York: Citadel Press
Cullen, D. (2009). Columbine. New York: Hachette Book Group
Letson, T. (2009). Bullystoppers.com