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In bid to prevent mass attacks, Behavioral Analysis Unit asks public to ‘talk to someone you trust’ if you notice concerning behaviors.
The FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit is urging people to take notice when their friends, family, classmates, and coworkers show disturbing signs they may be on a “pathway to violence.”
Drawing on years of research on targeted violence and mass shooters—to include the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, in 2022 in which 19 elementary school students and two teachers were killed—the FBI unit best known for its “profilers” is asking people to confide in someone they trust or respect when they see behaviors they think are concerning.
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Too often, the signs are ignored or dismissed because they are not recognized as potentially dangerous, or observers will directly confront the person they are concerned about, believing that alone will be enough to defuse concerning behaviors.
“Our goal is to get bystanders, who are the most important part of the prevention cycle, to be able to consistently identify concerning behaviors that are backed by research and experience,” said Taylor Cilke, a crime analyst in the unit of BAU that studies threats. BAU resides in the FBI’s Critical Incident Response Group and is part of the National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime, which was established in 1984 to develop strategies to combat serial and violent crimes.
“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,” 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.”
To that end, BAU this week launched a Prevent Mass Violence campaign that includes a new webpage and brochures containing tips and strategies to help potential bystanders understand what types of behaviors may be concerning and ways to respond.
“The most important thing is to tell someone,” the webpage says. That may not necessarily mean law enforcement; it could be a school administrator, employee assistance peer, a boss, or someone else you trust.
“We’ve seen time and again that there are noticeable, observable behaviors,” said Brad Hentschel, a supervisory special agent in BAU, pointing to nearly three decades of academic research, along with BAU’s findings from studying mass violence events. “Mass shooters don’t just snap. Recognizing and reporting the warning signs of someone thinking about and preparing for violence can be lifesaving.”
“Our goal is to get bystanders, who are the most important part of the prevention cycle, to be able to consistently identify concerning behaviors that are backed by research and experience.”
Taylor Cilke, crime analyst, FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit
According to BAU, some concerning behaviors may include:
Comments, jokes, or threats about violent plans
Repeated or detailed fantasies about violence
Comments about hurting themselves or others
Creating a document, video, suicide note, or other item to explain or claim credit for future violence
Seeing violence as a way to solve their problems
Unusual difficulty coping with stress
Increasing isolation from family, friends, or others
Angry outbursts or physical aggression
Obsessive interest in prior attackers or attacks
Changing vocabulary, style of speech, or how they act in a way that reflects a hardened point of view or new sense of purpose associated with violent extremist causes
Last spring, as the one-year anniversary of the Uvalde shootings approached, BAU developed and distributed brochures related to preventing mass violence. BAU-trained special agents who serve as threat management coordinators in their field offices and provided the brochures to school administrators, mental health providers, and the human resource departments of companies in their regions. These resources are meant to help communities identify concerning behaviors and take action to get help—before violence is imminent.
For a more comprehensive list of concerning behaviors, to include brochures—along with resources and research about targeted violence—visit fbi.gov/prevent. The webpage and all the supporting information are provided to encourage the public to “be the key to preventing violence by talking to someone you trust.”
Prevent Mass Violence
Prevent Mass Violence
Mass shooters spend time thinking about violence and they plan, prepare, and often share indicators before their attacks. Educating yourself on what to look for can be the key to preventing an attack of mass violence in your community.
Research has found that mass shooters don’t just snap.
They spend time thinking about violence and they plan, prepare, and often share indicators before their attacks. This means there are opportunities to identify someone who is on a pathway to violence – and prevent their attack.
Studies have also proven that before most mass attacks, someone observed concerning behaviors that were signs the person was on a path to violence. The people who noticed were often friends, family, schoolmates, coworkers, or loved ones.
YOU may be in a unique position to observe these signs in someone you know. Educating yourself on what to look for can be the key to preventing an attack of mass violence in your community.
“When you know something is wrong but you don’t want to say it, talk to someone about it. Report it. Even if they’re your friends, brother, family. Don’t let that hold you back from doing the right thing.”
Statement by a close friend of an active shooter
What to Know
No single behavior means someone will commit violence, but research has identified behaviors that may indicate a person is moving towards violence.
The earlier a person’s concerning behaviors are noticed, the more options are available to get the person help.
Together with other concerning behaviors, new or inappropriate interest in weapons may increase concern for violence against others.
Common Concerning Behaviors
- Comments, jokes, or threats about violent plans
- Repeated or detailed fantasies about violence
- Comments about hurting themselves or others
- Creating a document, video, suicide note, or other item to explain or claim credit for future violence
- Seeing violence as a way to solve their problems
- Unusual difficulty coping with stress
- Reduced interest in hobbies and other activities
- Worsening performance at school or work
- Increasing isolation from family, friends, or others
- Angry outbursts or physical aggression
- Increasingly troublesome interactions with others
- Obsessive interest in prior attackers or attacks
- Bizarre or unexpected change in appearance, including dress or hygiene
- Asking questions about or testing security at a possible target
- Changing vocabulary, style of speech, or how they act in a way that reflects a hardened point of view or new sense of purpose associated with violent extremist causes, particularly after a catalyzing event
What to Do
Talk to Someone You Trust
If you are worried that someone you know may be displaying concerning behaviors, the most important thing is to tell someone.
Be the key to preventing violence by talking to someone you trust. This could be a school administrator, employee assistance peer, coach, religious leader, or someone else you respect.
Contact Law Enforcement
If you believe someone is planning or preparing for violence, think about contacting police, visiting your nearest FBI field office, or reporting it at tips.fbi.gov.
Law enforcement can work with other professionals to provide needed resources to individuals in or approaching crisis.
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