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Douglas High School Shooting By Chris Murris Cruz

2082 Words9 Pages

Part 1: Introduction and Description of the Incident

On February 14, 2018, the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, USA, became the site of a horrific mass shooting. The shooter, Nikolas Cruz, was a former student at the school who had been expelled the year prior after a series of disciplinary incidents.
The shooting occurred in the afternoon while classes were still in session, and lasted for approximately six minutes. Cruz entered the school with an AR-15 style semi-automatic rifle, which he had purchased legally. He wore a gas mask and carried smoke grenades, and began firing indiscriminately at students and staff. In total, 17 people were killed and 17 more were injured in the shooting. The shooting was one of the …show more content…

However, research has consistently found that certain mental health disorders, such as antisocial personality disorder and psychosis, are associated with an increased risk of violent behavior (Monahan, 1992).Studies of the relationship between mental health issues and antisocial behavior typically examine a range of behaviors, including violent crime, aggression, and substance abuse. For example, a study by Swanson and colleagues (2006) found that individuals with serious mental illness were no more likely to commit violent crimes than individuals without mental illness, but were more likely to be victims of violent crime. However, other research has found that individuals with certain mental health disorders, such as schizophrenia, are at increased risk of violent behavior (Fazel et al., …show more content…

Cruz's violent tendencies were well documented, with reports indicating that he had a troubling history of aggression, including incidents of physical violence and threats to kill both animals and classmates.
One specific example of Cruz's violent behavior was a physical altercation he had with another student at his high school. According to witnesses, Cruz attacked the student, leaving him with bruises and a broken nose. This incident was reported to school officials, but no further action was taken.
Nikolas Cruz's history of mental health issues is a crucial factor to consider when trying to understand the mass shooting he committed. Reports indicate that Cruz had been diagnosed with several disorders, including depression, ADHD, and autism spectrum disorder. However, it was his history of self-harm and suicidal ideation that is particularly concerning.
There are reports that Cruz had engaged in self-harm behavior before the shooting, which is a significant red flag for mental health issues. In fact, Cruz had a history of cutting himself, which was so severe that he required medical attention. This type of behavior is typically associated with individuals who are struggling with emotional pain and may be experiencing suicidal

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