Warning Signs
Based in information and research from our consulting experts, here is a partial list of actions, circumstances, and behaviors that may indicate heightened risk for targeted violence.
If you have concerns, please contact your school administrator or principal, or B-HARP for further consultation.
Has there been a shift toward a threat of extreme aggression or violence?
Violence is aggressive behavior that is intended to, or results in, serious or lethal injury.
Have there been threatening communications suggesting a potential violent attack?
Does the communication suggest details of planning or ongoing consideration of an attack? Communications may include verbal expressions, artwork, email, Internet messaging, texting, written language exercises, or any other medium of communication. A communication can also be made by indirect, veiled, or casual references to possible harmful events, warnings of potential
harm, or references to past violent events such as school or community shootings.
Are there indications of a specific target or targets?
Is there an ongoing consideration or focus on a particular person or a group of people?
Are there indications of a motive, goal or justification for a serious or lethal attack?
While there can certainly be many motives for acting out violently or aggressively, the most common is the need to establish or re-establish control, often disguised as revenge or a vendetta for lost love or humiliation, and the desire to prove bravery after making a threat or taking a dare. Pay close attention
to motive-related themes of loss, being wronged, or excessive anger.
Are actions and behaviors consistent with communications?
If threats are made but not accompanied by attack-related behaviors, motives, or a specific target(s)
consistent with that threat, then the risk decreases.