Review: Lethal Copycats by Zeena Nackerdien

Lethal Copycats by Zeena Nackerdien

The Columbine High School Massacre was the most lethal school shooting in modern US History when it took place on April 20,1999. Regrettably, the frequency and lethally of the mass shootings appear to have increased post-Columbine. One of the reasons may be that some youths were inspired by these events.
Zeena Nackerdien uses a fictional scenario to explore possible motives spurring the macabre actions of two female mass shooters. She points out that the reasons for the mass shootings are broad and encompass access to the firearms, psychological health, social isolation, morbid preoccupation with violence and social injustice. Some perpetrators suffer from a sense of persecution and have revenge fantasies, but not of the kind that would automatically have them categorized as having a serious mental illness. Others may have been severely depressed, rather than having a psychotic break. Many killers leave behind testaments of sorts, such as diaries and online posts that can serve as a rich source of insight into their motives. Potential perpetrator’s cognition needs to be recognized and hopefully with appropriate and timely interventions that will be not more young people seeking fame through death by cop.

This to real story leaves you looking at not just the gun control issue but the complex stuff behind the mass shootings that plague the news all too often. I recommend this book to help people see that there is far more behind these shootings than the aftermath.