Criminal Profiling Topic of the Day: Dead SC Murderer is NOT a Serial Killer

I have been watching network after network stating that the man shot dead in North Carolina is the South Carolina serial killer. This is incorrect. Yes, the dead man is the guy who offed five people during the last week, but he is a spree killer, not a serial killer.

Is this important point? You bet. Serial killers don't want to get caught; they like sneaking around and getting their jollies in whatever method amuses them, then, feeling better about themselves for having taken someone's life, get a hamburger and get a good night's sleep. Serial killers are not fed up with life and want to get caught or die. They want to win, beat the people they hate, the society they live in.

Spree killers, on the other hand, are mass murderers in slow motion. They plan on suicide, usually suicide by cop. They have had enough of life and they want out but they want to go out in a blaze of glory and take their enemies with them. On occasion, a spree killer kills off his wife or mother and realizing that his freedom is coming to an end, prefers to raise his body count and go out with a bang.

This was the South Carolina killer. He had way too many kills in too short a time to be a calculating serial killer. He was a burning star and he knew law enforcement would catch up with his in due time. And as soon as the police showed up, he shot at them rather than go with them peacefully. The police shot back and he got his suicide by cop as he always intended to get.

It will be interesting to see what caused this man to go on a spree. Does he have dead bodies back at his house or did he just realize he was a colossal failure at middle age and decide to quit life. Most mass murderers and spree killers are either in their twenties or their forties: the young ones see no great future in their lives and the older one know that the have already hit their zenith.

Spree killer, not serial killer. It makes a difference in an investigation and protecting oneself. While mass murderers, spree killers, and serial killers are all psychopath, the serial killer is the one living down the street for the next twenty years slowing picking off the citizens. At least we know this bastard is done.

Criminal Profiler Pat Brown