10-21-2002, 04:28 PM
This discussion is excellent...with valid arguments for all opinions.
Let me preface my opinion by saying that I have both academic and clinical training in profiling, including the opportunity to interview a lesser-known serial killer and a cannibal. (Very interesting cases.....and a good lesson on how the media is fed very limited, but calculated information.)
Not knowing any more information than has been presented by the media and given my training, I believe we are looking at one individual. There is a phenomenon known as "folie a deux" where people in association with a deluded or otherwise psychotic individual acquire that person's delusions. Both scenarios are possible.
However, I believe it is one person, male, mid to late 20's, currently single (with a history of multiple, failed heterosexual relationships). This person holds a "menial" job, meaning his job entails rote, mundane, non-taxing tasks that require no special training....such as a delivery person or techinal assistant. He is a worker bee who answers to a hierarchy of supervisors. He is does his job, but it is not the occupation he sees as worthy of his intelligence or "skills"...the skills he feels he possesses, but these skills are not adequate for job or career placement. He would be described as an average worker who has a clean work record. He does his job and goes home....he does not socialize with his coworkers. His IQ is high relative to his peers, but his social inadequacies limit him from holding a white collar job. And he knows it. His upbringing was relatively unremarkable, other than he could be described as a quiet kid.
Where does the shooting come in? Well, he does obviously have experience shooting a gun, but does not necessarily have formal training in discharging weapons or target shooting...although he may target shoot recreationally. A .223 is easy to shoot, even at long range. It is a relatively light gun compared to most hunting rifles. The caliber tells us that he wants recogntion for the shootings, because he has never gotten recognition in his life. The .223 round is a small round that rarely creates an exit wound. It remains in the body as his calling card. The range he chooses to shoot from indicates his comfort level with other people.
With respect to the previous posts regarding if these shootings fit into the serial killer mold....
Serial killings have the following elements: selection of victims, the crime scenes, MO, and timeline. This guy is selecting his victims, albeit randomly. His victims are people out in the community that he feels uncomfortable with...everyday people. In addition, these people are doing mundane, rote activities. The crime scene in all cases is his vehicle or the immediate surrounding area. His MO is anger and control....although serial killers rarely display rational or clearly defined motives because of their delusions and psychosis. The time line is rather short, but will vary over the course of his killings. The media's reports (based on what the authorities will tell them) will dictate the frequency of the shootings...as we have seen.
The one component that this case lacks is the shooters ability to have a tangible trophy from the victims. Media coverage does not satisfy this component. Generally serial killers, especially sexually motivated killers, have a strong need to take a part of the victim or an item from the body. This leads me to believe that although he may have sexual problems, they are not germaine to his motivation.
How will this all end? Well, the media will play a large role. He has shown us that he listens to/watches the coverage of his "work". He is so narcissistic that he feels that he can outsmart anyone. The use of military planes and drones is getting him off. The more high-tech the investigation becomes, the more he will kill to prove himself. The more he is challenged by the police, the more he will kill. Ultimately, it will be his narcissism that will be his downfall. His intelligence will fuel his delusions, throwing him into a state of fantasy and God-like power. He will begin to feel increasingly more invincable....causing him to make costly mistakes.
That's my two cents....I may be wrong on a number of points. I am curious to see how this all plays out. And I hope that this nonsense ends quickly before many more people are killed.
Let me preface my opinion by saying that I have both academic and clinical training in profiling, including the opportunity to interview a lesser-known serial killer and a cannibal. (Very interesting cases.....and a good lesson on how the media is fed very limited, but calculated information.)
Not knowing any more information than has been presented by the media and given my training, I believe we are looking at one individual. There is a phenomenon known as "folie a deux" where people in association with a deluded or otherwise psychotic individual acquire that person's delusions. Both scenarios are possible.
However, I believe it is one person, male, mid to late 20's, currently single (with a history of multiple, failed heterosexual relationships). This person holds a "menial" job, meaning his job entails rote, mundane, non-taxing tasks that require no special training....such as a delivery person or techinal assistant. He is a worker bee who answers to a hierarchy of supervisors. He is does his job, but it is not the occupation he sees as worthy of his intelligence or "skills"...the skills he feels he possesses, but these skills are not adequate for job or career placement. He would be described as an average worker who has a clean work record. He does his job and goes home....he does not socialize with his coworkers. His IQ is high relative to his peers, but his social inadequacies limit him from holding a white collar job. And he knows it. His upbringing was relatively unremarkable, other than he could be described as a quiet kid.
Where does the shooting come in? Well, he does obviously have experience shooting a gun, but does not necessarily have formal training in discharging weapons or target shooting...although he may target shoot recreationally. A .223 is easy to shoot, even at long range. It is a relatively light gun compared to most hunting rifles. The caliber tells us that he wants recogntion for the shootings, because he has never gotten recognition in his life. The .223 round is a small round that rarely creates an exit wound. It remains in the body as his calling card. The range he chooses to shoot from indicates his comfort level with other people.
With respect to the previous posts regarding if these shootings fit into the serial killer mold....
Serial killings have the following elements: selection of victims, the crime scenes, MO, and timeline. This guy is selecting his victims, albeit randomly. His victims are people out in the community that he feels uncomfortable with...everyday people. In addition, these people are doing mundane, rote activities. The crime scene in all cases is his vehicle or the immediate surrounding area. His MO is anger and control....although serial killers rarely display rational or clearly defined motives because of their delusions and psychosis. The time line is rather short, but will vary over the course of his killings. The media's reports (based on what the authorities will tell them) will dictate the frequency of the shootings...as we have seen.
The one component that this case lacks is the shooters ability to have a tangible trophy from the victims. Media coverage does not satisfy this component. Generally serial killers, especially sexually motivated killers, have a strong need to take a part of the victim or an item from the body. This leads me to believe that although he may have sexual problems, they are not germaine to his motivation.
How will this all end? Well, the media will play a large role. He has shown us that he listens to/watches the coverage of his "work". He is so narcissistic that he feels that he can outsmart anyone. The use of military planes and drones is getting him off. The more high-tech the investigation becomes, the more he will kill to prove himself. The more he is challenged by the police, the more he will kill. Ultimately, it will be his narcissism that will be his downfall. His intelligence will fuel his delusions, throwing him into a state of fantasy and God-like power. He will begin to feel increasingly more invincable....causing him to make costly mistakes.
That's my two cents....I may be wrong on a number of points. I am curious to see how this all plays out. And I hope that this nonsense ends quickly before many more people are killed.