Unstable Teens and Shootings

Recently, an unstable 19-year-old gunman later identified as Robert Hawkins opened fire at the Westroads Mall of Omaha Nebraska, then later took his own life. There were 6 fatalities and a couple critically wounded, with victims ranging from customers to employees. The evidence suggests that he had chosen his victims randomly. Hawkins had apparently visited a friend near the Westroads Mall and then proceeded to the mall afterwards. Police are still baffled at why he choose that particular mall or the Von Maur department store in particular. The attack seemed premeditated because Hawkins left a suicide note and another correspondence. His suicide note, found by Debora Maruca-Kovac, a friend of the Hawkin's family who was allowing him to stay in her home, pretty much described how he was sorry for everything, how he didn't want to be a burden to people anymore and how he was useless all his life and how he was going to be famous. The gun, an AK-47, has still not been traced yet, but police believe Hawkins stole it from his stepfather's house. Hawkin's presence was flagged as suspicious when he entered the mall. It doesn't seem that this incident could've been prevented. Hawkins had been in state's custody for the last 4 years, and broke up with his girlfriend 2 weeks ago. His friends are shocked that he is capable of this amount of violence and describe him usually playing a mediator role during arguments.



http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/12/06/mall.shooting/index.html#cnnSTCText



Also recently, 16 year old Eric Hainstock was convicted and found guilty of first degree murder when he went to school on September 26,2006 with two fully loaded guns- a 20-gauge shotgun and .22-caliber revolver- and ended up shooting and killing his principal, Mr. Klang. Hainstock originally plead not-guilty and provided an abundance of material about his physical abuse, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse by his father, his step brother, and class mates. He says that he was driven to the edge of their bullying and only intended to use the guns to scare them into submission and allow him to talk to the principal. According to him, the second gun had gone off accidentally as Mr. Klang grabbed his arm. Hainstock appeared stoic and unremorseful during his court appearance. School reports also identify him as the instigator of fights and brutality. His intentions of shooting were also incredibly questionable because the gun "accidentally" went off 6 times, the first time hitting Mr. Klang in a critical zone which cost him his life.



http://www.courttv.com/trials/hainstock/080107_ctv.html





Both of these shooters were both clearly mentally unstable teens who needed counseling and therapy. Although the question of culpability comes into question, I do not believe that anyone is ever justified in taking another's life. I think these cases should be looked upon as lessons for other schools and institutions where students who seem disturbed are offered help in better fashion. I am also a huge advocate for gun-safety. Guns shouldn't be made so readily for purchasing, and those parents with guns should take better precaution in storing those guns.