Many parents increasingly wonder if they are raising future serial killer with growing gun incidents in schools and mounting murder cases committed by teenagers and preteens. They try to assess their own parenting skills to get to the crux of their children’s problems and anger. The mother of Dylan Klebold (Columbine Shooter) wrote an essay in O Magazine where she described her shock and horror over her son’s actions. She never believed her son would be capable of hurting more or less kill innocent bystanders.
The truth of the matter is that many children, especially teenagers, are getting a hold of illegal firearms and other weapons. Many city streets and schools are becoming increasingly unsafe as gun and weaponry laws are becoming too lenient. Furthermore, many parents are overlooking signs of depression, rage, harassment and abuse in their own children. Here are 10 cases where teenagers and preteens became premeditated murderers.
1. Tim Kretschmer:
A 17 year old teenager went into his former high school in Winnenden, Germany on March 11, 2009 and fatally shot and killed 9 students, 3 teachers and 3 bystanders before pulling the gun on himself. He was recovering from psychiatric treatment for depression when the shooting took place. The day before the shooting occurred, Kretschmer announced his plans on an internet chatroom. His failing grades which prevented him from pursuing an apprenticeship was the probable trigger of the horror.
2. Jeffrey Weise:
On March 21, 2005, Jeffrey Weise (16) killed his grandfather and his grandfather’s girlfriend. He proceeded to enter his school in his grandfather’s police car where he fatally shot and killed 5 students, 1 teacher and 1 security guard before turning the gun on himself. The cause of his actions was mainly bullying and taunting.
3. Dylan Klebold & Eric Harris:
Dylan Klebold along with Eric Harris went into Columbine High School on April 20, 1999 and fatally injures 12 classmates and 1teacher/coache. 21 others were injured in the shooting; many of whom are scarred and damaged by the events to this day. Both Harris and Klebold were clearly disturbed and depressed individuals. They were bullied throughout his high school. Videos of both students illustrate that the event that transpired at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999 were deliberately planned for months. Diaries and belongings recovered from their rooms also illustrate dissatisfaction with life and school.
4. Kelly Ellard:
14 year old Reena Virk was often ostracized and bullied by others in her school. She often desperately sought to be accepted by others. She smoked marijuana, drank alcohol and disobeyed her family to look cool. On November 14, 1997, Virk was invited to a party near the Craigflower Bridge where she consumed too much alcohol. While there, she was swarmed by a group of 8 teenagers who resorted to bullying and to taunting her. Kelly Ellard and Warren Glowatski, two members of the group of teenagers, proceeded to follow Virk as she walked away. Both Ellard and Glowatski beat Virk and forced her to take off her shoes. Ellard, who was 15 years old at the time, forced Virk under water and subdued her until she was dead. During trial, Ellard was noted for her sarcasm and tantrums. She failed to realize the brunt of her actions. After 3 trials, Ellard was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2005 with chances of parole in 7 years.
5. Joshua Phillips:
Joshua Phillips was convicted for murdering his missing 8 year old neighbour, Maddie Clifton in 1998. His mother found the body taped to Phillips’ bed seven days after the Clifton went missing. Phillips was sentenced to life imprisonment without chances of parole. He never stated why he committed the murder.