New Study, "Fame seeking mass shooters in Eastern Europe," in the Journal of Contemporary Central and Eastern Europe
Fame seeking mass shooters in Eastern Europe
Abstract
This study presents a comparative case study analysis of three fame seeking mass shootings that arose in Eastern Europe. It draws on commonly assessed correlates, especially those stemming to Cumulative Strain Theory, to investigate whether there are differences or similarities inherent to the fame seeking phenomenon in this under-studied context. The inquiry reveals that the fame seeking phenomenon in Eastern Europe is not necessarily statistically rarer than in the U.S. in relation to the total universe of all mass shootings. Fame seekers in this context experienced similar forms of strains and adverse experiences as their American counterparts stemming to family issues, bullying, and isolation. Fame seekers also meticulously planned their attacks and two of the three cases featured offenders detonating homemade bombs. Ideationally, fame seeking appears to be heavily reliant on information that offenders obtain through the internet and mass media outlets about previous attacks, which entails that fame seeking has become a globalized phenomenon.