Recognize Violence in Children

by Carleton Kendrick

Kipland Kinkel, a fifteen year-old Springfield, Oregon freshman, allegedly murdered his parents in their home, drove the family car to his high school, and methodically fired fifty one rounds from a semi-automatic rifle into a crowded cafeteria -- killing two students and critically wounding others.

Red flags
In this tragedy's wake, classmates have recounted Kip's tales of torturing animals, constructing explosives, and wanting to blow people up. His teachers received essays detailing stories of violent revenge and bomb building. A family friend has testified that Kip's parents had all but given up trying to control his violent temper and his fascination with guns and explosives (the police have removed several powerful homemade bombs from the Kinkel house).

School officials had suspended Kinkel the day before the cafeteria carnage for possession of a stolen, loaded handgun. The police released Kinkel to his parents' custody, claiming they did not believe he was a "danger to himself or others." What the heck does it take to be considered a dangerous person in Springfield? The police didn't drop the ball on this one -- they booted it clear out of the state.

Kipland Kinkel was a time bomb. His parents, teachers, and classmates had seen and heard him ticking. Could anyone -- should anyone have stopped him before he exploded?

No treatment
For years the Kinkel's knew their son could not control his violent impulses. He punched kids who accidentally brushed against him in school corridors. His football coaches repeatedly benched him for his profane tirades. He had been apprehended by the police before -- for throwing rocks at cars from a highway bridge. This boy could not control his rage. Knowing all this and his son's passion for guns, William Kinkel didn't seek family counseling -- he bought his son a rifle.

Kip's parents had seen the volumes of bomb building directions he had downloaded from the Internet. They were acutely aware of his obsession with building explosives. He built bombs right under their noses. What did they think he was up to when he locked himself behind closed doors for hours at a time? Why didn't they consider the obvious, the worst?

Why wasn't this boy in intensive therapy long before these senseless murders? His violent obsessions and uncontrollable behaviors showed how much he needed treatment. He could not stop himself.

Open your eyes
Parents don't want to believe the worst about their children. Even when the worst is shoved in their faces. We don't want to admit that our kid's chronic bloodshot eyes and erratic mood swings are an indication he's abusing drugs. We refuse to link up our daughter's increasingly gaunt appearance, obsessive exercising, and frequently locked bathroom doors with an eating disorder. We'd rather deny the worst. It's too frightening to consider.

Adults need to take notice when kids telegraph their inner turmoil. We need to intervene when we hear their time bombs ticking louder and faster. Kids too must break their silence and speak up when they see a friend or classmate exhibiting dangerous thinking or behavior. We are, after all, our brothers' and sisters' keepers.

Kip Kinkel committed rare heinous acts. But his impulsiveness, anger, disappointment, and hopelessness are common in the lives of today's adolescents. They need us to see their pain and desperation. They need us to save them from themselves.

Read Carleton Kendrick's bio.

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