Which of the following is a common characteristic of school shooters?

• A. Excessive sports involvement
• B. High social connectedness
• C. Experience with guns and social isolation
• D. Preference for peaceful media

Answer: (C)

A common profile for school shooters involves having access to firearms together with social isolation. The combination matters because ready access to guns makes it easier to carry out a planned act, while feeling socially isolated or rejected can contribute to grievance development and planning, increasing the risk that someone might act on violent thoughts. This pattern shows up repeatedly in risk assessments and case histories, even though not every individual fits it perfectly.

Excessive sports involvement isn’t typically associated with this risk pattern, as it often reflects structured activity and social contact. High social connectedness reduces risk rather than characterizes it. A preference for peaceful media doesn’t align with the violent actions described in these cases, so it’s not considered a common characteristic.