Broadside: The Colo. Shootings

Jul 20, 2012 7:36pm

(NECN) - Jack Levin, a professor of criminal justice at Northeastern University, joins Jim to talk about the Colorado shootings.

He notes that this particular shooter and incident did not fit the usual profile of mass killings in that it took place in a public place instead of, say, a private home. This killer also never intended to kill himself, unlike most mass killers. The suspect James Holmes, was covered in body armor.

Levin speculates that Holmes suffered a catastrophic loss when he left a Ph.D. program in June.

"It's surprising that he just didn't kill the dean or the professors who were on his committee," said Levin.

While it's far too early to determine a motive, Levin thinks the shooter went to the cinema because he knew there would be lots of vulnerable victims there and would garner lots of publicity.

Levin said that while the media have a right to inform the public, but he also warned against romanticizing the shooter's horrific acts.

Tags: Northeastern University, Jim Braude, Jack Levin, massacre, james holmes

Your Comments