Local criminal profiler says theater attacks are likely copy-cat crimes

Three years after the Aurora theater shooting, a gunman opens fire in a Louisiana theater, then a man with a history of mental illness attacks people at a theater in Tennessee. For some, these occurrences are becoming all too common.

KRDO NewsChannel 13’s Mekialaya White spoke with local criminal profiler Pete Klismet to see if, perhaps, there is a relationship among these shootings.

Klismet, a 30-year-law enforcement retiree, has worked as a private investigator and FBI agent. He says he believes the recent shootings look like copy cats.

“I think with this one we’re dealing with a suicide by cop by a person who’s very seriously mentally ill. The one in Louisiana probably isn’t. Holmes isn’t,” said Klismet.

He says many of the people who commit these crimes are loners and bright people who are able to come up with elaborate plans. According to Klismet, they also have a similar mental state.

“They have some grievance, perhaps against someone that they can’t take it out on so they take out on other people — they feel like they have been wronged,” said Klismet.

Klismet says the recent violence has even caused him concern.

“I hate to say no place is safe but it’s starting to seem that way,” Klismet said.