Psychological report of Steven Kazmierczak

On February 14, 2008, Steven Kazmierczak opened fire in Cole hall at Northern Illinois University, killing 6 people. Recently an extensive report was released detailing the entire event. There is a large section on Steven's childhood and psychological state which I find interesting. It was a tragic event, and I am proud of the community's response. I think there are lessons to be learned from it.

"Kazmierczak’s elementary and high school teachers referred to

him as being an underachieving, impulsive person who lacked motivation and required

structure.

It has been reported that Steven was an underachiever throughout his primary and secondary school years. Some of his teachers reported having suspicions he may have had a learning disability or an attention deficit problem. Steven was described as appearing to have difficulties concentrating. Additionally, he was reported as having a negative attitude, and as behaviorally careless and impulsive. These conditions were seen as complicating his ability to learn.

At least one instructor believed Steven’s early writings contained themes of violence and found them to be inappropriate. There is anecdotal evidence that Steven was bullied during his early school years. Likewise, there are reports that he picked on others during this same period. His family sought an evaluation of Steven through school officials, but their request was denied

It is reported that Steven and his mother, during his early years, spent a

great deal of time watching horror movies. The themes and images contained in the movies were said to be grossly violent and macabre and of questionable suitability for a child of Steven’s age at the time.

 Steven attempted to commit suicide or made suicidal gestures requiring him to be hospitalized for a total of nine (9) times before his eighteenth birthday."

Now, I am not saying by any means that any kid who watches a scary movie or is and underachiever or gets picked on is destined to be a school shooter someday. But it just irks me that when my 5 and 6 year olds come in to school taking about the Chuckie and Saw movies, threatening to kill themselves, and displaying other inappropriate behaviors, and I report these to school support staff, it gets brushed off by parents and postponed by the school who refuses to "diagnose" any sort of disorder in kindergarten. 

It breaks my heart the issues today's children have to deal with and how often they are not given the help they need.