Lessons Learned from the California Drive-By Shooter Incident

California Drive-By Shooter

Saturday morning a troubled 22-year old man stabbed his three housemates to death, then began a shooting rampage that killed six and wounded numerous others.  There are numerous lessons to learn from this story, even as the investigation into the incident continues.

Staying Alive Lesson 1 - Situational Awareness

Situational awareness is a vital skill for staying alive.  Situational awareness means that you maintain awareness of everything that is going on around you.  When you gear shots, or hear an engine running hard, find a safe place, THEN scan your area.  Too often people freeze in place to scan their area, and that can be fatal. 

Staying Alive Lesson 2-Warning Signs

Events like this always provide warning signs, afterward.  The shooter had posted numerous videos, and a manifesto, that indicated his pain, and what he wanted to do about it.  My personal and professional ethics prevent me from posting links to any of them, as I will not engage in the veneration of evil.  The links are easily found on the Internet for those who want them.

The shooter even posted a 141-page manifesto that described his life.

The family of the shooter said they tried to alert authorities to their son’s disturbing behavior.  Police interviewed him and found him to be a “perfectly polite, kind and wonderful human.”

As the investigation moves forward, more lessons may be learned.  Let's learn these lessons and Stay Alive.