Psychiatrist says killers fall into one of three categories
Posted:
Updated:
By Roop Raj, Fox 2 News -
BIRMINGHAM, Mich. (WJBK) -
Four days after being arrested, James Holmes, accused of killing twelve people and injuring dozens more in a Colorado theater, is still being questioned. Investigators are likely asking one question. Why.
"It's horrendously personal," said Birmingham psychiatrist Dr. Howard Belkin. He explained killers can be classified into three categories.
"An absolutely normal person that gets overwhelmed with a situation reacts, does it out of a sense of frustration. There can also be the type that are the sociopaths or the anti-social personalities. They really have no respect for society's rules, think they can do exactly what they want to do when they want to do it, and they act out on these really terrible thoughts."
Then there are people like James Holmes, who told investigators he was the Joker from the Batman movie, even dying his hair color red like the character. Delusional at best.
"That sounds to me like a psychotic symptom. That sounds to me like a delusion. A delusion is a fixed false belief. It's something that someone believes they are or they have or they've heard that's clearly not true. Clearly this appears to be a fixed belief. It's obviously a false belief," Belkin said.
Initial reports indicated that Holmes' mother said "you have the right person" when asked by a reporter about how son being a suspect. Experts say we should all be watching our loved ones closely.
"Sometimes when people are closest to someone, they may have a feeling that the person could do something horrendous, and a parent who knows the child well and who's been able to speak to the child, especially in a recent period of time, may have an idea in the back of their mind," said Belkin.
Experts are also urging people to watch loved ones' behavior and point out that they're aware of suspicious activity. Holmes, investigators say, was stockpiling weapons in the weeks leading up to the shooting. Help is never far away to keep a disturbed person from crossing into the danger zone.
"If we know somebody who has a tendency towards violence, perhaps a tendency towards hurting other people, they've committed a violent act in the past, it's someone that you always want to keep a watch out for," Belkin remarked.
Belkin said if you feel like you're loved one has a problem and is maybe teetering on the edge of dangerous to call a therapist. If you don't feel comfortable with that right away, at least take them to the family doctor. They usually know the patients well enough to tell if something just isn't right.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:21 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:21:52 GMT
As people struggle to pick up the pieces in the areas of Oklahoma ravaged by tornadoes, we've learned some relief will be coming from right here in Michigan.
As people struggle to pick up the pieces in the areas of Oklahoma ravaged by tornadoes, we've learned some relief will be coming from right here in Michigan.
Monday, June 17 2013 5:55 PM EDT2013-06-17 21:55:56 GMT
A new search for the remains of Jimmy Hoffa is underway in northern Oakland County. Armed with a search warrant, the FBI moved in Monday morning and started digging in Oakland Township.
A new search for the remains of Jimmy Hoffa is underway in northern Oakland County. Armed with a search warrant, the FBI moved in Monday morning and started digging in Oakland Township.
Friday, June 14 2013 10:25 PM EDT2013-06-15 02:25:13 GMT
A team led by a state-appointed emergency manager said Friday that Detroit is defaulting on about $2.5 billion in unsecured debt and is asking creditors to take about 10 cents on the dollar of what the city owes them.
A team led by a state-appointed emergency manager said Friday that Detroit is defaulting on about $2.5 billion in unsecured debt and is asking creditors to take about 10 cents on the dollar of what the city owes them.
Friday, June 14 2013 11:49 AM EDT2013-06-14 15:49:37 GMT
Authorities say hundreds of gallons of gasoline have spilled on the pavement and into the sewer at a Detroit gas station after at least one man confronted a fuel tanker driver.
Authorities say hundreds of gallons of gasoline were spilled on the pavement and into the sewer at a Detroit gas station after at least one man confronted a fuel tanker driver.
Monday, June 17 2013 9:27 PM EDT2013-06-18 01:27:07 GMT
The jury in the manslaughter trial of Detroit officer Joseph Weekley did not reach a verdict on Monday. The jury has now deliberated for two full days.
The jury in the manslaughter trial of Detroit officer Joseph Weekley did not reach a verdict on Monday. The jury has now deliberated for two full days.
Monday, June 17 2013 11:31 PM EDT2013-06-18 03:31:06 GMT
Detroit Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr is working on improving city services, including the streetlights. More than 40 percent of them do not work, but the Detroit Public Lighting Authority is now beginning its work.
As Kevyn Orr tries to solve Detroit's financial crisis, he is also working on improving city services, including the streetlights. More than 40 percent of them do not work, but the Detroit Public Lighting Authority is now beginning its work.
Monday, June 17 2013 10:43 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:43:12 GMT
He is a Detroit lawmaker serving his second term in the state House, but he may be spending a little too much time at his own house. M.L. Elrick puts state Rep. John Olumba's attendance record under the microscope.
He is a Detroit lawmaker serving his second term in the state House, but he may be spending a little too much time at his own house. M.L. Elrick puts state Rep. John Olumba's attendance record under the microscope.
Monday, June 17 2013 10:36 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:36:35 GMT
The FBI and local police have teamed up hoping to solve a 38-year-old murder mystery. They are searching an Oakland Township field looking for Jimmy Hoffa.
The FBI and local police have teamed up hoping to solve a 38-year-old murder mystery. They are searching an Oakland Township field looking for Jimmy Hoffa.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:45 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:45:07 GMT
In a surprising move, Tucker Cipriano pled no contest to murder in the beating death of his father. Cipriano made the plea just days before members of his own family were set to testify against him.
In a surprising move, Tucker Cipriano pled no contest to murder in the beating death of his father. Cipriano made the plea just days before members of his own family were set to testify against him.
Monday, June 17 2013 5:55 PM EDT2013-06-17 21:55:56 GMT
A new search for the remains of Jimmy Hoffa is underway in northern Oakland County. Armed with a search warrant, the FBI moved in Monday morning and started digging in Oakland Township.
A new search for the remains of Jimmy Hoffa is underway in northern Oakland County. Armed with a search warrant, the FBI moved in Monday morning and started digging in Oakland Township.
Monday, June 17 2013 4:56 PM EDT2013-06-17 20:56:42 GMT
General Motors is recalling more than 193,652 SUVs from the 2006 and 2007 model years because a circuit board in the driver's door could short and cause a fire.
General Motors is recalling more than 193,652 SUVs from the 2006 and 2007 model years because a circuit board in the driver's door could short and cause a fire.