The problem is one of balance.
Sure in retrospect, Salvador was mentally ill. He must have been because he went on to mass murder.
But is there really a definable set of behaviors prior to a mass shooting, where we can say someone needs professional help?
At what point should we refer people to authorities for evaluation? Things the article points out about Salvador...
- Carving his own face (Self mutilation qualifies)
- Shooting at random people with a BB gun. (That qualifies too) But my brother shot me with a BB gun. And while he did have anger issues, he never committed murder. Well one of the neighbor's cats. The cat qualifies. Maybe the BB gun too. Opie Cunningham shot a mother bird but was sorry about it. At what point does animal cruelty count. Burning ants with a magnifying glass. Stepping on bugs? Or is it just pets and larger animals.
- "posted videos to social media documenting domestic fights with his mother as law enforcement was present" this one has several components:
- Drug addicted parent - maybe automatic referrals and periodic follow ups. I have a cousin that was really messed up from an alcoholic mom and a father who didn't spend time with her.
- Domestic fights with parent. Lots of parents/teenagers struggle through the teen rebellion years. Thank God I had good kids, and never had to deal with that. At what point is counseling warranted?
- Posting about your domestic fights on social media. Is that healthier than keeping it all in? I don't know.
- Selfies with bare chest and pout. The article leads with this one. But really? What about everyone's pictures at the lake. What triggers the creep factor?