In 2015, the CBS News reported on the investigation into
Chris Harper-Mercer and the massacre he has been deemed responsible for, at the
Umpqua Community College, in Oregon. Although the article reports briefly about
the crime, the victims, and the investigators, the focus of the report is on
information pertaining to the shooter (CBS, 2015). Apparently, Mercer left
behind a multi-page typed note that media has since been depicted his “manifesto”
(CBS, 2015). The media describes the contents of the note as the “philosophical
ranting of someone who was mad at the world” (CBS, 2015). It also stated that
the contents of his note reveal Mercer had a low opinion of himself and his
place in the world (CBS, 2015). Moreover, the shooter's social media pages
suggest he was interested in the “IRA, frustrated by traditional organized
religion and tracked other mass shootings” (CBS, 2015). Reportedly one social
media post even suggests he was impressed with the “limelight” that other mass
murderers had received for massacre shootings (CBS, 2015).
In the main picture in the article is of the police standing
solemn-faced as they stand guard outside the apartment of the shooter. In
conjunction with the image, the text in the article presents the criminal
justice system as competent, well informed, and vigilant in their search for
answers and possible motivation. Though they indicate as of yet there is no
connection to any outside involvement or specific reasoning found, the
information found and presented seems to suggest that the shooter had
premeditated the crime for a long time (CBS, 2015). There is also the implication
from the bulletproof vest that the shooter expected to be met with equal force
and in a shoot-off with police (CBS, 2015).
Overall the article makes you feel as though the shooter was
mentally unwell previous to the shooting. An example: In the first paragraph
they cite, depressed and angry (CBS, 2015). Then later reporting they report he
had feelings of low self-worth and/or feelings of hopelessness in regard to his
place in the world (CBS, 2015).
From a psychological perspective, crime is explained on the
individual level, as the result of dysfunctional thought processes and/or
behavioral patterns, and/or personality characteristics (Conklin, 2008). The
psychological theories that can explain the Umpqua Community College Shootings
could be the “psychotic offender”, or a personality “trait theory” which
resulted in a “rampage killing”. A personality trait theory perspective would indicate
that certain features of personality may contribute to a persistent pattern of
behavior that leads one to trouble with the law (Conklin, 2008). Whereas the
psychotic patient may be driven impulsively to criminality by the onset of
delusions or grandiose ideas (Schmalleger, 2014).
In this example, the investigators reported that the shooter
had previously joined the US military in 2008 but was discharged after he
failed to meet the military’s standards in boot camp (CBS, 2015). Perhaps this
personal failure, in conjunction with “the personal inability, to tolerate
frustration without resorting to aggression and violence” could have
contributed to his violent behavior (Conklin, 2008). This would be concurrent
with both “life course perspective” suggests that turning events in people’s
lives can contribute to criminality and psychological theories that indicate a
dysfunctional personality features are at the root of criminality.
Being that the crime has multiple victims, is not related to
domestic or gang homicide, follows (although not immediately) the discharge
from military, and involves a mentally unwell shooter who later dies on the scene, the reported crime fits the description of a rampage killing (Conklin,
2008). Unfortunately, many of these rampage killings involve victims who are
unrelated to the cause of the rampage, such as students and teachers (Conklin,
2008). But, the most distinctive features of rampage killings is that the
shooters are previously viewed as mentally unstable or mentally unwell and die
either by suicide or engaging in activity that will likely kill them (i.e.
shooting at an officer) (Conklin, 2008). Thus, it possible, given the
information, that the killer was mentally ill, perhaps psychotic, but obviously
depressed, filled with self-hatred, and based on his actions-ready to die.
x
No comments:
Post a Comment