Tragedy in Arizona: Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords´ and 19 Others Shot, Loughner Arrested

Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was holding a "meet-and-greet" outside a Safeway in Tucson, Arizona when shots rang out. Tragically, fourteen people were injured and 6 were killed. The suspect was tackled by bystanders when he attempted to reload his gun. The Congresswoman is still in critical condition.

The twenty-two year old suspect of the Arizona multi-victim murder, Jared Lee Loughner, reportedly had a troubled past. He lived with his parents in a middle class neighborhood. It is possible he was associated with a white supremacist group, as well. He had writings on line that have been evaluated as rambling, delusional, and possible psychotic. It is alleged that he was not accepted into the Army (reasons not disclosed). It is reported that he was a drug user who was prone to rambling outbursts in class when he was in high school and in college.

Jared was allegedly suspended from Pima Community College after posting a disturbing video and several contacts with campus police. He was told he could not return to school unless he got a mental health clearance. He was described by classmates as troubled and socially immature. Jared posted rambling You Tube videos on mind control, currency, and government. On his facebook page, he listed "Mein Kampf" as one of his favorite books. Jared also had a criminal record which included vandalism. He was reported by classmates to be reclusive. He also had threatened to kill someone previously according to Sheriff Dupnik.

Jared also allegedly commented in one of his classes that he would strap a bomb to an aborted fetus and make a baby bomber out of the infant, despite the tears of a classmate. This possibly indicates lack of empathy for others. He was arrested twice in the past and placed in diversion programs. It is reported that he is not cooperating with law enforcement on this charge. Jared came into contact with army recruiters, high school and college teachers and classmates, readers of facebook, and law enforcement and was described by all as unstable and disturbing. Yet, it is not known if he ever had a mental health evaluation as was recommended by his college.

There are lessons to be learned here. Without using the ideas to point fingers and place blame, there may need to be changes in how military, school and law enforcement systems screen for and handle people who are at risk to commit violent acts.

Speaker Boehner said Sunday. "Such acts of violence have no place in our society." In most cases of adult male aggression, there are warning signs of trouble long before any significant violence takes place. Research has identified the characteristics of potentially violent men. Those found in Laughner´s history, thus far, are:

Severe Behavior Problems as a youth or an adult (aggression, sexual assault, criminality, school or work behavior problems).

Multiple criminal acts

Lack of remorse or empathy for others

Chronic work or school behavior problems

Multiple job losses or school suspensions. Can´t seem to hold a job or remain in school.

Mental illness and substance abuse without adequate treatment

Destruction of property

Lack of empathy

Poor modulation of emotions

Poor social skills

The more of these factors that are present, the more likely that someone will act violently and needs appropriate intervention to prevent future tragedy. When multiple risk factors of violence are present and someone comes to the attention of the military, law enforcement or schools, evaluations for risk for violence and needed interventions, are essential for the safety to others. Some may say that this interferes with individual rights, and to an extent, it does. The goal, however, should be to prevent such events from happening by providing interventions early in the lives of those at risk for violence. It is important to note that the British have a lower rate of violence than the US. It is thought this is because of their treatment orientation toward those who come to the attention of law enforcement. This could potentially prevent such tragedies by turning people around before such awful events occur.

One of the lessons here also might be to reduce negative rhetoric and outrage between political parties. Primarily unstable people will take the negative and angry rhetoric to extremes such as this because they cannot manage their anger effectively. Returning to an atmosphere of civility and emphasizing respect for differences will be good for society in many ways.

Learning from such tragedies can prevent, at least some violence from occurring in the future. According to the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, there are two trajectories for the development of chronic criminal behavior, including violence. Youth that display severe problems before the age of 13 who do not receive appropriate treatment are more likely to have a course of criminal behavior and violence that is life long. When severely disturbed young people come to the attention of law enforcement, they should be screened to identify those who are in need of interventions.

Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was holding a "meet-and-greet" when a gunman shot and injured fourteen people and killed 6. It appears that the alleged gunman had many of the typical characteristics of violent men discovered by research. If we learn from this tragedy and make systems changes, maybe the next horrible massacre can be prevented.