Violence in Senior Communities: Warning Signs and Red Flags
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Violence in Senior Communities: Warning Signs and Red Flags

The Secret Service provides useful and practical information concerning the potential for active shooter events and attacks in public places including school, malls and senior care centers. They report that most attackers exhibit various behaviors and communicate in various ways that act as signs of a potential act of violence. What kinds of red flags can employees be on the lookout for to prevent a serious act of violence?

Observe for Warning Signs

The vast majority of perpetrators studied by the Secret Service exhibited behaviors and communications of concern at some point prior to their attack. Such actions occur on a continuum, across time, and in different settings. They can range from actions and statements that cause low levels of worry in someone to those that elicit alarm and fear.

Changes in Everyday Behaviors

Employees should keep an eye out when they see significant changes in a co-worker’s normal actions, statements and behaviors. Such changes can be sudden, which are easier to detect, or they may take place over a long period of time, making them more difficult to pick up on. Some potential attackers may exhibit mood changes or mood swings, have extended periods of sadness, depression, hopelessness or isolation.

A potential attacker may exhibit problems that significantly affect their ability to function interpersonally, socially, behaviourally, or occupationally. They may make other employees feel uncomfortable by ranting, venting or experiencing angry outbursts. They can appear overly distressed, disturbed, or disruptive.

Some perpetrators can exhibit inappropriate, excessive, and/or intimidating interests, obsessions, fascinations, or research regarding:

  • Real or fictional assassins or attackers (including those in video games)
  • Real or fictional mass shootings or murders
  • Weapons
  • Militant or radical groups
  • Violence
  • Aggressive events
  • Stalking incidents

Their threats or menacing behaviors may be overt and direct, or covert, indirect, implied or veiled. They may engage in stalking, harassing, and intimidating others in the workplace. Potential perpetrators may talk about suicide, homicide, or other fantasies regarding violence.

Mental Illness Concerns

Some potential attackers have been shown to have severe forms of mental, emotional and behavioral problems including psychosis, delusions, paranoia, persecution and hallucinations. These are serious conditions and cannot be taken lightly. The perpetrator may have lost touch with reality, be influenced by false beliefs, feel that others are out to get them, or see or hear things that do not exist.

Some perpetrators may hear a “command voice” in their head, telling them how to carry out acts of violence. There exists a very high risk of violence if they trust these voices. Some individuals may be greatly fixated or obsessed with a coworker, the government or a religion. Others may have personality disorders including those that are antisocial or sociopathic.

Final Thoughts on Violence in Senior Communities

Sometimes the signs are right in front of us. Some may be easy to pick up on and others not so much. The Secret Service informs us that most potential attackers and perpetrators exhibit various behavioral and communication warning signs. Some important red flags include changes in personality, exhibiting obsessions and intimidation, and symptoms of various mental illnesses. Leaders and employees have got to have their eyes open to such signs and when they see something, they should notify leadership immediately. Action may save lives.

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