The Violence Project

As mass shootings become increasingly frequent, it is natural to feel despair and even approach compassion fatigue, tempted to tune out the violence of the world. What deepens this sense of hopelessness is the perception that there are no solutions, or the fear that a single measure, such as gun reform, cannot fully address the problem, and that meaningful policy change may never occur. Yet, despite the gravity of the issue, I believe there is hope. One of the most comprehensive studies on mass shootings, known as The Violence Project, has been collecting data for years and has published its findings, including practical solutions that could be implemented. In reviewing recent coverage of mass shootings, I have noticed that few media sources focus on these evidence-based strategies. I want to share what The Violence Project has discovered, because while hope exists, reducing mass shootings requires a fundamental shift in perspective and practice across individuals, institutions, and society as a whole.

First, it is important to go over the four categories that The Violence Project identified.

Trauma – Trauma was a major factor for a large percentage of the shooters. Although many people experience trauma and do not commit acts of violence, this is why trauma alone should not be the sole factor for identifying red flags. Relationships were another important factor. Most of the shooters were isolated and had no true bonds or connections. To the world, they were invisible.

Crisis – A high percentage of the shooters were in a state of crisis for days, months, or even years. Being able to spot early warning signs of crisis is vital for intervention.

Social Proof – Social proof is a psychological phenomenon in which people look to the actions, opinions, or behaviors of others to guide their own decisions, especially when they are unsure of what to do. Social proof plays a disturbing role in the pattern of mass shootings by creating a psychological script that vulnerable or aggrieved individuals may follow. When media coverage, online communities, or cultural attention highlight previous shooters, especially by naming them, detailing their motives, or showcasing their impact; it can unintentionally signal that such acts are a way to gain recognition, power, or revenge. For individuals who feel invisible, angry, or marginalized, these past examples function as models of action, reinforcing the idea that violence is a viable or effective means of being seen. This “copycat effect,” driven by social proof, does not create the desire for harm on its own, but it can shape the method and timing of violent expression by validating it through precedent.

The No Notoriety Protocol is a media and communication guideline designed to prevent mass shooters from gaining the attention and recognition that often motivates such acts. Its core principle is to limit the use of the perpetrator’s name and image, only referencing them when necessary for public safety or legal accuracy. Instead of focusing on the attacker, the protocol encourages media and officials to highlight the victims, survivors, and those who intervened. It also calls for avoiding publication of manifestos, social media posts, or ideological statements that could validate the attacker’s motives or inspire imitation. Sensationalist language, such as describing perpetrators as “masterminds” or “lone wolves,” is discouraged because it can unintentionally glamorize or mythologize them. The ultimate goal is to remove the social and psychological reward of notoriety, reducing the copycat effect and shifting public attention toward community healing, prevention, and accountability.

Opportunity – The Violence Project identifies opportunity as a critical final stage in the pathway to mass violence, emphasizing that it is often the last point at which intervention can be effective. In their framework, opportunity arises when an individual not only harbors a grievance and has developed violent ideation and plans, but also gains the access and circumstances necessary to act on those intentions. This includes access to firearms, frequently obtained legally or through unsecured household weapons, as well as proximity to vulnerable targets such as schools, workplaces, or public spaces with limited security barriers. Opportunity also depends on the absence of timely intervention, even when warning signs are present, such as threats, behavioral changes, or explicit leakage of intent. Additionally, online communities or media environments can create a sense of validation by showcasing prior perpetrators, making violence seem viable or inevitable. By the time someone reaches this stage, prevention hinges on restricting access to weapons, monitoring high-risk environments, encouraging reporting, and disrupting social validation. The Violence Project stresses that while earlier stages build intent, opportunity is what transforms ideation into action, making it the most tangible point for policy change and protective measures.

Other Findings of The Violence Project:

First, job loss is a notable factor in understanding the context and timing of many mass shootings, though it is rarely the sole cause. Employment disruptions, such as being fired, laid off, or demoted, can contribute to a sense of humiliation, identity loss, and social marginalization, which may intensify existing grievances or feelings of failure. In the organization’s research, a significant number of mass shooters had recently experienced workplace instability or conflicts, and in some cases, they targeted former employers or coworkers. Job loss can amplify other risk factors, including social isolation, mental health struggles, and anger, creating a tipping point that accelerates progression from violent ideation to planning and action. The Violence Project emphasizes that these events do not inherently lead to violence, but when combined with access to firearms, exposure to prior shootings, and personal crises, unemployment can act as a critical catalyst in the pathway to mass violence.

Second, research shows that many mass shooters develop a fixation on previous attacks, often studying the perpetrators, methods, and media coverage in detail. This obsession serves multiple functions: it provides a template for planning, offers a sense of validation for their grievances, and reinforces the belief that violence is an effective way to achieve notoriety or influence. By analyzing prior shootings, these individuals can adopt tactics that increase lethality or evade detection, and they may also compare themselves to earlier attackers, cultivating a sense of competition or legacy. The Project emphasizes that this pattern of imitation is a form of social proof, where prior acts of violence signal to potential shooters that similar behavior is possible, visible, and culturally impactful. Media coverage that glorifies or extensively details shooters can unintentionally strengthen this fixation, which is why strategies like the No Notoriety Protocol are critical in preventing the perpetuation of mass violence.

Third, The Violence Project emphasizes that active shooter drills in schools can have unintended negative consequences if not carefully designed. While drills are intended to prepare students and staff for emergencies, research suggests that overly frequent, highly stressful, or dramatized simulations can increase anxiety, fear, and trauma among young people. For some students,particularly those who feel isolated, marginalized, or are experiencing mental health struggles, these drills may normalize violence or contribute to a sense of helplessness. The Project recommends that schools focus on evidence-based safety training, trauma-informed practices, and social-emotional learning rather than repeated high-stress simulations, and that drills be conducted with clear context, age-appropriate guidance, and psychological support to minimize harm.

Fourth, The Violence Project notes that placing armed officers in schools does not reliably prevent school shootings and may have complex effects on safety and student well-being. Research indicates that the presence of law enforcement can sometimes increase the risk of escalation, contribute to a sense of militarization, or create an environment of fear rather than security. While armed officers may respond to an active threat, they do not address the underlying risk factors that lead to violence, such as trauma, social isolation, grievance, or access to firearms. The Project emphasizes that prevention strategies should focus on threat assessment, mental health support, social-emotional learning, and early intervention, rather than relying primarily on armed security as a deterrent.

What we can do:

As Individuals:

Trauma – Build relationships and mentor young people.

Crisis – Develop strong skills in crisis intervention and suicide prevention.

Social Proof – Monitor our media consumption.

Opportunity – Practice safe firearm storage; if you see or hear something, say something.

As Institutions:

Trauma – Create warm environments, implement trauma-informed practices, and use universal trauma screening.

Crisis – Build care teams and referral processes; train staff.

Social Proof – Teach media literacy; limit active shooter drills for children.

Opportunity – Use situational crime prevention strategies and provide anonymous reporting systems.

As a Society:

Trauma – Teach social-emotional learning in schools. Build a stronger social safety net with adequate jobs, childcare, maternity leave, health insurance, and access to higher education.

Crisis – Reduce stigma and increase knowledge of mental health; expand access to high-quality treatment; fund counselors in schools.

Social Proof – Implement no-notoriety protocols; hold media and social media companies accountable for their content.

Opportunity – Enact universal background checks, red flag laws, permit-to-purchase requirements, magazine limits, waiting periods, and an assault weapons ban.

Lastly, a message I share with The Violence Project is about the nature of monsters. It is understandable to view mass shooters as unspeakable horrors, but the truth is more complex, they are people. Not distant, abstract figures, but your neighbors, coworkers, students, and relatives. They might sit next to your child during drills, cover your shifts, or walk the streets you walk. Like The Violence Project, I urge us all to turn away from fear and lean toward connection. Every act of kindness, every effort at inclusion, every moment we respond with curiosity and understanding is an opportunity to build a bridge to someone who feels invisible, worthless, or disconnected. In all the research I have read, there is not a single case where a shooter could not have used a person in their life to genuinely care about them. When we take the time to see and validate human pain, we remove the need for violence as a means of being seen. I strongly recommend reading The Violence Project; understanding that solutions exist may be the last sliver of hope that can prevent a tragedy.

https://www.theviolenceproject.org/

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