In an age where school shootings have become tragically more frequent, proactive awareness is essential. While there’s no single profile of a school shooter, many incidents share common warning signs that were either missed or dismissed. Understanding and acting on the warning signs of a potential school shooter can help prevent tragedy before it strikes.
At A.L.I.V.E. Active Shooter Survival Training, we believe the best defense is prevention – and that begins with awareness.
1. Drastic Behavioral Changes
Sudden withdrawal from friends, family, or school activities can be a red flag. This is especially concerning when coupled with expressions of anger, depression, or hopelessness. While teens often experience mood swings, abrupt and extreme changes warrant attention.
2. Obsession with Weapons or Violence
An unusual interest in firearms, explosives, or violent incidents – especially school shootings – should never be overlooked. This may include writing, drawings, or online posts glorifying violence or mass shooters.
3. Social Isolation or Bullying
Many school shooters report long-term feelings of isolation, rejection, or bullying. This can build into a dangerous combination of resentment and rage. Schools should have systems in place to identify and support students who feel marginalized or victimized.
4. Threatening or Disturbing Communications
This can include verbal threats, social media posts, written assignments, or text messages suggesting harm to others. Even indirect or “joking” references to school violence should be taken seriously and documented.
5. Fascination with Past Shootings
A preoccupation with previous mass shooters or school massacres is a strong warning sign. This may manifest as researching details of past events, idolizing perpetrators, or drawing comparisons to themselves.
6. Leakage of Intent
Many shooters give clues beforehand – a phenomenon known as “leakage.” This can be as overt as saying “you’ll see tomorrow” or more subtle hints dropped to peers. Students, faculty, and even parents must be trained to recognize and report these behaviors without hesitation.
7. Access to Weapons
If a student has easy or unsupervised access to firearms – especially in homes where gun safety is not enforced – the risk increases exponentially when other red flags are present.
Prevention Starts with Education and Action
Training staff, students, and parents to recognize these signs is just the beginning. What matters next is having a plan of response, proper intervention protocols, and safety systems in place.
At A.L.I.V.E., we go beyond theory – we empower people with practical, life-saving strategies through our nationally recognized Active Shooter Survival Training programs. Whether you’re a school administrator, teacher, parent, or student, you can play a role in preventing the next tragedy.
👉 Learn the Signs. Take Action. Save Lives.
Schedule a free consultation or training for your school, district, or organization today.
Be A.L.I.V.E. – Assess. Leave. Impede. Violence. Expose. Survive.
About the Author
Michael D. Julian is President of MPS Security & Protection and a 30-plus-year veteran of the security and investigations industry. He served as President of the California Association of Licensed Investigators (CALI) from 2005 to 2015 and has led executive protection, residential security, and corporate investigations engagements for Fortune 500 principals, high-net-worth families, and public figures across the United States. Connect with Michael on LinkedIn.