ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces our theory and model for understanding active killer attacks, which are based on using the direct behaviors that occur sequentially in planned lethal violence as the basis of our Fatal Grievance Theory and Planned Lethal Violence Stairway Model. While mass killers are typically motivated by power, loyalty, ideology, profit, or grievance/revenge, we focus on normative grievances which transition into fatal grievances in situations where individuals exceed their ability to cope with situations or circumstances, while simultaneously believing that they have no support system to provide them with assistance. Active killers who attack schools, campuses, and workplaces are almost always motivated by a fatal grievance.
