COLUMBUS, Ohio — FBI Cleveland and the FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit has stepped in to help people recognize certain behaviors that might be indicators a person might commit a violent crime.

What You Need To Know

  • The FBI warns that isolation, angry tendencies and violent plans are warning signs that could lead to violent behavior

  • Reaching out to law enforcement or counselors can help address these behaviors

  • The FBI Behaviors Analysis Unit launched their mass violence prevention resources in 2022 

Violence has been a recurring theme in a state, seeing multiple mass shootings within a month time span. In late June, Columbus saw a mass shooting in its Short North district, resulting in 10 people getting shot. Also last week, a police officer and 10-year-old girl in Cleveland were shot and killed on separate occasions within hours of one another.

The FBI said everyone has a role to play when spotting signs that a person might be on the “pathway to violence."

  • First, they might make comments, jokes or threats about violent plans or a previous violent incident
  • A person might isolate themselves and have trouble being around friends and family
  • They might view violence as a way to solve problems and be easy to jump to aggressive and angry behaviors
  • Coping with stress and stressful situations might be difficult 

Supervisor Special Agent William Hasty, with FBI Cleveland said family and friends often hesitate to say something when they notice alarming behaviors,  but said it’s better to be safe than sorry.

“Engaging with people that’s in our lives that could potentially become perpetrators just to pull them back from the social isolation that is often associated with these kinds of events,” said Hasty. “Reaching out, getting someone help — if that looks like therapy or something, those types of, you know, actions, anyone can take part in.”

The FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit launched its Mass Violence Prevention resources webpage as a response to the Uvalde shooting that took place in 2022. However, Hasty said watching out for these warning signs can help prevent incidents that are premeditated or random.