A forensic psychologist who has spoken with 10 of the most infamous mass murderers in history shared a bone-chilling question posed by one of them shortly after committing his heinous crime.
The individual in question was Martin Bryant, the perpetrator of Australia’s deadliest mass shooting, who at the time was a 28-year-old loner known to sleep with his pet pig for companionship.
Struggling with relationships, Bryant carried out a shocking massacre in 1996 at Port Arthur, Tasmania, claiming the lives of 35 individuals, including children.
Professor Paul E. Mullen conducted an interview with Bryant just 48 hours following the incident, while Bryant was confined to a hospital bed due to severe burns sustained from a failed suicide attempt by setting fire to a guesthouse.
During this interview, Bryant made a chilling remark that continues to haunt Paul to this day. Bryant asked with a sinister smile if Paul was aware that he now held a particular “record,” without the need for further clarification.
At that time, Bryant held the grim distinction of having massacred more individuals than any other lone gunman in history, a fact Bryant was well aware of due to his study of similar perpetrators.
Since then, this macabre record has been surpassed multiple times, including in the 2017 Las Vegas shooting where 60 people lost their lives.
Paul, who hails from Bristol but has spent considerable time in New Zealand and Australia, previously noted that lone killers he had interacted with shared a common trait. He also addressed concerns regarding being alone with such individuals.
Explaining the dynamics of interacting with violent individuals, Paul emphasized that when faced with them in a confined setting, they are often more vulnerable than threatening.
Having recently published a book titled “Running Amok,” delving into the minds of mass killers, Paul highlighted the shared characteristics among them and provided guidance on identifying warning signals and enhancing threat assessments.
Regarding overlooked warning signs in society, Paul pointed out that many lone mass killers telegraph their intentions through various means such as online communications, social interactions, and written works.
He further elaborated on the establishment of joint policy and mental health units to respond to indications of potential mass violence, emphasizing the importance of evaluating access to firearms, criminal history, mental health status, and online activities.
Based on the assessment outcomes, face-to-face interviews may be arranged before determining appropriate interventions.
Paul commended the UK for its well-organized response services compared to other countries, emphasizing the importance of proactive measures in preventing mass violence.
His book, “Running Amok,” is currently available for purchase on Amazon.