This case study uses the Systems Approach to examine the 2014 Marysville Pilchuck High School attack in Marysville, WA. The Systems Approach is an effective way to gather information as part of a threat assessment to identify sources (e.g., law enforcement, employment, community, family, etc.) that may have information about the individual’s actions, stressors, and behaviors that may have concerned others. This case study highlights that there is no profile of a school attacker.

David Gabbard is a military veteran and former law enforcement officer with over 18 years of experience. He served as a Task Force Officer and Deputy Director at the Southeastern Wisconsin Threat Analysis Center before joining the U.S. Secret Service.