Distinguishing between problematic young people and those who pose a serious threat

WASHINGTON (TN) — How do you distinguish troubled youth from those who pose a serious threat? That's the question many are asking after the deadly shooting at a Georgia high school that left four people dead and nine others hospitalized.

Experts say it's difficult, but observation is key. They point out that parents or guardians should pay attention to erratic behavior, uncontrollable mood swings, or major changes in appearance.

David Thomas, a professor at Florida Gulf Coast University and a retired police officer, said that in addition to behavior, attention should also be paid to classroom assignments.

“They keep a diary or have to write reports and often you find that they are fantasizing and that gives them insight into what is really going on,” Thomas said.

There was a sign on the Internet in connection with the suspected 14-year-old shooter Colt Gray at Apalachee High School.

Over a year ago, Gray threatened to carry out a school shooting on the Internet. But investigators did not have enough evidence to make an arrest. Thomas said that there is no “red flag law” in the state of Georgia that allows someone to intervene and take away firearms.

“If there are guns in the house and they feel the person has access to those guns and they pose a threat, they cannot remove the guns,” Thomas said.

In his experience, says Thomas, parents are also reluctant to intervene.

“The stigma was there. They thought their children were not normal. They would not be accepted,” Thomas said.

Dr. Leigh Richardson, a licensed counselor, said any time a child makes a threatening post like Gray's, an assessment must be made.

A neuropsychological evaluation must be done,” Richardson said.

She believes that if such a test had been conducted, it is possible that the results would have shown anxiety, depression or some degree of aggression.

“That could have made us pause and think about whether we need to take this a little more seriously,” Richardson said.