Review the following three (3) mass murderers. Which mass murder classification best fits each Case Study? Use the Mass Murder Classification system of Dr. Holmes. Remember that sometimes a mass murderer might fit more than one classification. Explain your answer. Feel free to conduct your own research into additional details on each perpetrator and the mass murder incident.

CASE STUDY #1: JAMES HOLMES

Born on December 13, 1987, his father was a mathematician and scientist with degrees from Stanford, UCLA, and UC Berkley, and his mother was a registered nurse. James grew up with his parents and one sister. In high school in southern California, he was an outstanding student, a member of the soccer team and cross country team, and regularly attended church with his family. He went to college at University of California Riverside, graduating with the highest honors and getting a degree in neuroscience. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and other honor societies. He moved to Aurora, Colorado, where he was a graduate student, working on his PhD. in neuroscience at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. He was awarded a $21,600 grant from the National Institutes of Health. But in 2012 his academic performance started to decline, and he withdrew after failing an important oral exam.

He consulted with three (3) mental health professionals prior to the shooting incident. Two weeks before the shooting, he texted a fellow graduate student and asked him if he had ever heard of “dysphoric mania”, and he warned the student to stay away from him “because I am bad news.”

He was an avid fan of superheroes, and his apartment was filled with Batman paraphernalia.

On May 22, 2012, he bought a Glock 22 pistol. On May 28, 2012, he purchased a Remington shotgum. On June 7, 2012, he bought a Smith & Wesson semi-automatic rifle. On July 6, 2012, he added another Glock 22 pistol to his inventory. He purchased more than 7,000 rounds of ammunition for these weapons. On July 2, 2012, he made an online purchase of an urban assault vest, two magazine holders, and a knife.

On June 25, 2012, he applied to join a local gun club. When the manager of the gun club called James to follow up on the application, he got James’ voicemail, which was a very creepy and siturbing Batman impersonation. It so disturbed the manager that, not only did he deny the aspplication, he told his employees to be on the alert if James came to their club.

On June 20, 2012 he went to the local movie theater complex to watch the debut of the latest Batman movie. He sat in the front row of the theater. Twenty (20) minutes after the movie started, James exited the theater through an emergency exit door, and left it propped open. He went to his car, where he changed into protective clothing and retrieved his weapons. He re-entered the theater through the emergency door. He was wearing a gas mask, his urban assault vest, a ballistic helmet, bullet resistant leggings, a bullet resistant throat protector, a groin protector, and tactical gloves. He threw two (2) smoke or gas canisters into the theater and then he started shooting. When he stopped shooting and left the theater, he had killed 12 people and wounded another 70. Three of the wounded were actually in the adjacent theater and were struck by a bullet that went through the wall.

Police first responders arrived within 90 seconds after the first 911 call. They found James seated next to his car in the rear parking lot. He offered no resistance. His hair had been dyed a bright orange. At the scene, he advised the police that he had booby-trapped his apartment with explosives. This was confirmed by police who went to his apartment.

His trial is scheduled for December, 2014. His attorneys have filed a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity, and James is undergoing a series pf psychiatric examinations.

CASE STUDY #2: JARED LEE LOUGHNER

Born, September 10, 1988, Jared was an only child raised by his parents in Tucson, Arizona. His mother worked for the City Parks Department; it is unclear if his father ever worked outside the home.

In high school, he was active, had a circle of friends, and had a girlfriend. When his girlfriend broke up with him, he resorted to abusing alcohol and hallucinogenic drugs. He dropped out of high school. His friends noted a drastic change in his personality.

He got fired from his job as a Quiznos restaurant; his manager noted a significant change in his personality and behaviors. He volunteered as a dog walker at a local animal shelter, but he was asked not to return when he refused to follow instructions on where to walk the dogs.

He enrolled in classes at Pima Community College, where he re-connected with some high school friends. They were struck by the severe changes in Jared’s personality; he asked lots and lots of questions, and he rambled on about anti-government thoughts and ideas.

He was suspended from the college in late 2010 due to five (5) behavior disruptions in classrooms and the library. In a meeting with the school, Jared and his parents were told he could re-enroll if he got a “mental health clearance.” Jared did not follow through.

In the few months before the shooting incident, his parents became so concerned about his behaviors that they disabled his car every night so that he could not leave home. His father confiscated his shotgun, and urged Jared to seek mental health treatment. Jared refused.

During this time, Jared posted a Youtube video, calling college illegal according to the U.S. Constitution, and describing Pima Community College “one of the biggest scams in America.”

He also was very vocal about his dislike of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. He often said that women should not hold positions of power. He attended an event in 2007 where Rep. Giffords spoke; he was angry that she did not sufficiently answer his question: “What is government if words have no meaning?” He kept her form letter that she sent, thanking him for attending the event. ON the letter he wrote “die bitch” and “assassination plans have been made.” Also, he would get very angry every time he saw President Bush on television.

Jared became obsessed with conspiracy theories, especially in relation to the 9/11 attacks. He generally disliked government and organized religion. He often openly expressed anti-Semitic views.

On November 10, 2011, Jared bought a 9mm Glock pistol.

On January 8, 2011, in the early morning hours, he posted on his MySpace account: “Goodbye friends. Please don’s be mad at me. The literacy rate is below 5%. I haven’t talked to one person who is literate. I want to make it out alive. The longest war in the history of the United States. Goodbye. I’m saddened with the current currency and job employment. I had a bully at school. Thank you. P.S. – plead the Fifth!”

He then went to WalMart to buy ammunition for his pistol.

He arrived at the Safeway Supermarket parking lot, where Rep. Giffords was conducting a constituents meeting. Jared opened fire, shooting Rep. Giffords at close range. He continued shooting. He killed six (6) people, and wounded another 14, including Rep. Giffords.

He was subdued by bystanders. When he was placed under arrest by the police, Jared said, “I plead the Fifth.”

CASE STUDY #3: CHARLES LEE THORNTON

Born on December 23, 1955, Charles Lee Thornton was a lifelong resident of Kirkwood, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis. He was active in civic and charitable organizations. He owned his won construction company.

In the late 1990’s a large commercial development was approved by City Council. It met with some opposition by the citizens, but Charles was a vocal proponent of the project, primarily because he believed he would get some construction contracts. He did get some construction jobs in this project, but he was openly resentful that he did not get as many contracts as he believed he had been promised.

He ultimately filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission, alleging racial discrimination in the city council’s contract process, but this complaint was dismissed because it was the private developer, not city council, who awarded the construction contracts.

Prior to this, he had received several citations for city code violations on his business property. In a plea agreement, he promised to bring his property into compliance within two years. But he did not fulfill this agreement. Many more citations were issued. He finally filed for bankruptcy.

He then started attending city council meetings, where he became more and more outspoken in his accusations of persecution, fraud, and cover-ups by the city council. He filed multiple lawsuits against the city and against Ken Yost, the public works director. All of these lawsuits were eventually dismissed. In, May, 2002, Charles was convicted of assault; Ken Yost was his victim. In 2006, he was twice arrested and charged with disorderly conduct at city council meetings. In 2007, he was charged with assult against alocal restaurant owner. Chalres had been picketing the city council outside the restaurant, and the restaurant owner tried to get him to leave.

On February 7, 2008, Charles parked his van on a side street near City Hall. While walking toward city hall, he was approached by Sgt. William Biggs. Charles shot him, killing him instantly. He then entered City Hall with his gun, as well as the gun he took from the dead police officer. He entered the room where City Council was holding a meeting; another 30 people were in attendance. He walked up to Police Offcier Tom Ballman and shot him in the head. He kept shooting, and he was shouting “Shoot the Mayor!” over and over. He shot and killed two city council members; he then shot and killed Ken Yost. His next victim was the Mayor.

When police responded, they shot and killed Charles.

The incident left 5 people dead, and another 2 wounded.