FBI launches campaign encouraging residents to help prevent mass violence

CLEVELAND — Mass shooters don’t just “snap” one day, said Brad Hentschel, a supervisory special agent in the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit.

Often, perpetrators of mass violence show signs that indicate they might be intending to do others harm, either by making jokes about violent plans or repeating fantasies about committing violent acts.

“We’ve seen time and again that there are noticeable, observable behaviors,” Mr. Hentschel said. “Recognizing and reporting the warning signs of someone thinking about and preparing for violence can be lifesaving.”

To encourage residents to report individuals who are exhibiting concerning behavior that could lead to instances of mass violence, the FBI Cleveland Division and the agency’s Behavioral Analysis Unit launched its Prevent Mass Violence campaign.

Those behaviors can include creating a document, video, or suicide note to explain or claim credit for future violence, seeing violence as a way to solve problems, difficulty coping with stress, angry outbursts or physical aggression, obsessive interest in mass violence attacks, and a change in how speaking or actions that reflects a hardened point of view or new sense of purpose associated with violent extremist causes.

Toledo Police Department spokesman Lt. Paul Davis said the department needs the help of the community to avert such tragedies from occuring in Toledo.

He encourages city residents to call the police department at 911 if there’s an active emergency or the nonemergency line at 419-255-8443 to meet with an officer to discuss an individual whose behavior is concerning.

“We can’t do it [prevent mass violence] by ourselves,” the lieutenant said. “We have to have buy-in and partnership with members of the community. We don’t know everything that’s going on. We don’t know everyone that you know. ... If you suspect anything is abnormal, whether that’s a mental health crisis or a potential crime, we’re here to help and we need you to let us know that so we can look into it.”

As someone who used to work in law enforcement, Earl Mack, president of the Toledo Buffalo Soldiers, said he shares that perspective.

He said if anyone does or says anything that “causes the hair to rise from your neck,” it’s vital to report that behavior to law enforcement.

“Any suspicious activity should be reported to law enforcement,” Mr. Mack said.

Taylor Cilke, a crime analyst in the Behavioral Analysis Unit, said bystanders are “the most important part of the prevention cycle.”

“In order to prevent a threat, we have to identify it, and we have to assess it, and then we have to take steps to manage it,” Mr. Cilke said. “The hardest part is that identification piece. And that’s where the public and potential bystanders can really help us empower our communities and force-multiply our work. But if we never identify the threat, we can't assess and manage it.”