Special Report: Radicalized

Experts say many mass shooters hold what are called over-valued beliefs, which the experts say are the origin of extremist actions.

Dr. Tahir Rahman is a forensic psychiatrist at the University of Missouri who has been studying the motivations of mass shooters for the past five years.

“A person with an extreme, over-valued belief relishes, amplifies and defends their behavior,” Rahman said. “That’s different than psychosis. This is a behavior, not psychosis.”

Many forensic psychiatrists believe the internet can be a tool used to reinforce beliefs and behaviors.

“These extreme, overvalued beliefs slowly are refined through time,” Rahman said. They grow more dominant and they fulminate in the mind of the individual. Extreme beliefs have been around since the beginning of mankind, but the way we receive that information and how quickly we can receive that information has dramatically changed.”

Paul Fennewald, a former Missouri Homeland Security director, says if people stay on the lookout, the next tragedy could be prevented.

“Every one of these individuals that went on to do something bad, they all had some trajectories of behavior there that caused other people to be alarmed,” Fennewald said. “Knowing that they should take that seriously and follow up on that is key.”

If there is an emergency, the Missouri State Highway Patrol advises calling 911.

IF you have a tip to report, contact the Missouri Information Analysis Center at 866-362-6422. When calling the MIAC, callers have the option of remaining anonymous.