Mass Attacks and the Contagion Effect: No More Names
Morbid quest for notoriety
The past several weeks have seen another series of mass attacks nationwide. Nashville, Denver, Louisville, and East Lansing bore witness to such attacks, culminating in 17 dead and many more injured. Even at the time of this article, one officer remains in critical condition after being shot while confronting the Louisville bank attacker. Following these recent attacks, customary analysis and debate have launched again. Most frustrating is a that growing body of research about mass attack perpetrators exists and can help. One of the critical findings of over 20 years of science is that many attackers are motivated, to some extent, by notoriety or infamy. For instance, the perpetrator of the Pulse Night Club in Orlando in 2016 called a local news station during the attack. It is important to note that interventions can be implemented to neutralize this drive and help lower the risk of future episodes.
One of the critical findings of over 20 years of science is that many attackers are motivated, to some extent, by notoriety or infamy
Since before the 2000s, experts have long suspected that a morbid quest for notoriety drives many attackers. Most perpetrators know of the comprehensive news coverage surrounding mass attacks, dating back to the Columbine School attack, which represents the birth of contemporary mass violence for many. Unfortunately, with the Columbine attack and subsequent coverage, the perpetrators have transcended mortality and continued to live on via news articles, documentaries, and the internet. For some online communities, the Columbine attackers are revered with cult-like enthusiasm. In fact, subsequent attackers have cited the Columbine attack so often that preoccupation with the attack or attackers is now considered concerning behavior and a potential risk marker. Each successive mass attack inevitably leads to someone referencing the Columbine shooters, further perpetuating their sordid mythology. This cycle, which trails every episode, grants lonely, aggrieved perpetrators a vehicle to elevate themselves. Consequently, attacks now present a contagion threat, triggering subsequent attacks beyond the singular event.
Contagion phenomena and the No Notoriety effort
In 2014, researchers studying mass killings and school attacks found a significant risk of future attacks in the two weeks following an attack (Towers et al., 2015). This finding suggests a contagion, or triggering, effect related to publicized attacks. From this perspective, a school attack can inform future attacks in various ways. For instance, an aggrieved youth may feel stymied and graduate to acting out their frustration after seeing a mass attack covered. Alternatively, a student may already be intent on carrying out an attack and discern specific strategies (e.g., weapon choice, infrastructure vulnerabilities, most trafficked locales) from a publicized shooting. Notably, similar contagion phenomena have been observed around suicide and homicide (Towers et al., 2015). Given the contagion risk, it makes sense to stymie this dynamic, as with the No Notoriety effort launched by the survivors of the Aurora movie theater shooting.
On June 20, 2012, a gunman attacked a midnight screening of The Dark Knight Rises, killing 12, physically injuring 70, and traumatizing countless others. Fearing possible copycats, many theaters increased security as a safety measure. One of those murdered in the Aurora attack was Alex Teves. In the shooting aftermath, and in the midst of unimaginable grief, Alex’s parents, Tom and Caren, set out to save future would-be victims. The couple subsequently launched the No Notoriety campaign to prevent attackers from achieving infamy. The campaign encourages the media to celebrate the lives of those lost to mass attacks while not elevating the attacker. The idea is simple but profound. By depriving attackers of notoriety, society is removing one of the key drivers for many perpetrators and ultimately lowering the risk of future attacks.
Implementing the No Notoriety pledge is much easier than you think. Take, for instance, this blog. I have referenced past high-profile attacks and relayed key information without ever personally identifying an attacker. For instance, I use words like “attacker” or “perpetrator” when discussing a shooter. While some will undoubtedly be able to recall an attacker’s identity and connect their name to an attack’s location (e.g., Sandy Hook, Virginia Tech, Orlando Pulse Night Club), many will not. Over time, attackers’ identities will be lost amid the dynamic 24-hour media cycle that is always looking toward new stories. By removing names, we are removing one of the likely critical motivators for would-be perpetrators.
Also, it is possible to relay key information about attackers without identifying them. For example, stakeholders can provide insight about an attacker’s mental health, access to firearms, and possible motivations to the media, which can then relay to the public so society remains informed about possible threats. When an attacker is on the run, the media can understandably advertise their name and picture but stop once the incident has been resolved and safety restored.
By removing perpetrators’ names, we are effectively implementing a white-out. The FBI and other major organizations have called for efforts similar to the No Notoriety Campaign. While it is important to cite other mass attack risk factors, such as mental health issues and firearm access that also need to be addressed, infamy-seeking is one that we have the power to neutralize. Please consider whether you can personally take action against mass attackers by choosing not to name names.
To learn more about Tom Teves and the No Notoriety campaign check out this TEDx talk here
Towers, S., Gomez-Lievano, A., Khan, M., Mubayi, A., & Castillo-Chavez, C. (2015). Contagion in mass killings and school shootings. PLOS ONE, 10(7).
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0117259
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