Adam Lanza Case Analysis

On December fourteenth of 2012, Adam Lanza walked into Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut and shot twenty-six kids and teachers using a .223 Caliber Bushmaster Model XM15 assault rifle. By definition, a mass shooting has to consist of at least four victims, therefore, mass shootings occur every day while only the major incidents make national news. This particular shooting affected many and will forever have in imprint on gun laws, the safety of schools, and the part mental health plays. The multipath model can be applied to Adam explaining what might have led to the massacre. Adam was diagnosed with a mild form of Autism Spectrum Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. With those disorders,

To possibly reverse some symptoms of these disorders, Adam would have needed medication and treatment, of which he was deprived of. The psychological dimension of Adam is prevalent to the shooting. Adam was a recluse his whole life who preferred to be isolated in his room with no contact from anyone outside. Adam blocked all of his windows with trash bags so no one could see inside, and also only had contact with his mother through email for a whole year. Because of his personality and behavior, Adam had no outlet to express his emotions too. Isolating himself led to the contemplation of mass murder and in his eyes, that was the only solution Adam thought he had. The psychological component is by far the most important dimension to why Adam committed this mass murder. Growing up, Adam’s parents fought a lot and separated by the time he was ten, and eventually divorced by age sixteen. Losing contact with his father and older brother, Adam only had his mother in his

Even though no one really knew of Adam’s motives, there was still a lot that could have been done to make sure something like this never occurred. First and foremost, just because Adam was never comfortable in school and preferred to be in his locked room isolated, his mother should not have withdrawn him from school to accommodate him more. His mother should have put him through treatment for his anxiety to maybe make his schooling experience a little better, and then he could find ways to cope with the obstacles that come with school. Not only did Adam desperately need treatment, but he was in need of medication and rehabilitation as well. This would have presented Adam with an outlet and an opportunity to find more outlets in life outside of treatment. Also, his mother also should not have exposed Adam to guns his whole life and should not have allowed him the full access that she did. Adam’s fascination with death and school shootings was also publicized in the forums that he spent much of his time on, those of which should be closely controlled or monitored for clues or other important information regarding any possible shootings in the future. If someone caught and reported some of the things he said, Adam might have been somehow prevented from committing the mass murder. Lastly, something that the government is fully capable to do but just will not yet, is to advance mental health system reform and