We are all reeling – perhaps for a variety of reasons – in the wake of the recent assassination attempt made on the 45^th President of the United States, Donald John Trump. But regardless of your political views, all of us are victimized by the indiscriminate impact of this violence. You don’t have to be the primary target of violence to become its victim, because violence – like a disease – is pervasive, and spills over beyond the borders of its original intentions.

Both mental health and social science experts today are teaching us to treat violence like a disease. Although we tend to view violence as individual destructive actions, these experts urge us to view violence as more than singular events or occurrences. Dr. James Gilligan, author of Violence: Reflections On A National Epidemic, and a leading authority on the subject, discovered that violence spreads like a contagious disease. He tracked this dynamic when he served as the clinical director of Mental Health Services for the Massachusetts prison system. Dr. Gary Slutkin, an epidemiologist who created the national anti-violence program, Cure Violence Global, noted that not only does violence spread from person to person like a disease, but you can predict how it will move as a contagion.

This is why Dr. Vivek Murthy, the nation’s Surgeon General, recently referred to gun violence as a “public health crisis.” And just as COVID 19, and HIV before that, slowly spread beyond so-called “target demographics,” violence is a disease that will threaten others far beyond those who appear to be its initial victims.

So when young Thomas Matthew Crooks’ pulled the trigger on that AR-15, he did more than inflict horrible damage on three people at a rally in Butler County, Pensylvania. Instead, he identified himself as a link in the deadly disease of violence that threatens us all! And while we prefer to view him purely as a monstrous perpetrator, if we wish to really treat this disease of violence, that means we must acknowledge that he is also a victim – he “caught” this disease from somewhere, too!

Thomas Matthew Crooks: The Infected Source

As of this writing Crooks remains a relatively blank slate, but according reports from his peers he was somewhat of a social outlier and (probably) the victim of persistent bullying, according to some schoolmates. Most of us can readily understand that bullying is violence, but we may fail to see the how the isolating effect of loneliness is associated with violence. Surgeon General Murthy shared in his book, Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World. Loneliness is the root cause and contributor to many of the epidemics sweeping the world today—from alcohol and drug addiction to violence, to depression…”

 Most of us fail to recognize isolation and loneliness as a form of violence, but it is. We typically see it practiced within the framework of domestic abuse; and while it may be passive, it is nonetheless violence. Worse still is the corrosive effect of bullying and the shame that it produces. “If you want to stimulate violence,” says Dr. James Gilligan, “the single most effective way to do it is to shame somebody.”

All of these elements combine to produce a debilitating sense of diminished worth, and a sense of toxic powerlessness. Curiously, when Crooks was killed on that rooftop, he was wearing a T-shirt from Demolition Ranch – a YouTube channel known for its firearms and demolition content. This suggests that this young man had developed an appreciation for the growing romance that many Americans have with firearms – the power of guns! And a young man, isolated, shamed and feeling powerless, might find a great deal of remedy in the explosive power resident within the chamber of assault weapon.

Certainly, his father meant no harm; but placing a deadly assault weapon in the hands of young Mr. Crooks that day was like triggering a virus. He had been carrying the disease within, and now it was activated, and would soon because dangerously contagious to others.

The Innocent Bystanders: Infected as Collateral Damage

Though former President Trump was the intended target, three other men were actually more grievously wounded; and one of them died from his wounds. These four are undeniable victims of the violent act perpetrated by Thomas Crooks; but they are far from the only victims.

There are hundreds of others – perhaps thousands – whose lives were changed by what they witnessed and endured at that rally, and who will now endure the ravages of post-traumatic stress disorder – better known as PTSD. Traumatic experiences don’t come and go; they stick and stay in the soul, disturbing both the mind and body. One long-term effect of PTSD is that it can alter the way the brain processes experiences, inducing a state of hyper-vigilance: the state of always on high alert, tense, and “on guard.”

Hyper-vigilant people are always on the lookout for hidden dangers, both real and presumed, and are more inclined to perceive threats where they may not exist, and to react aggressively upon their perceptions. This, of course, magnifies the trauma, and tends towards producing a state of high-alert in others – who may become more aggressive in their reactions. The end result is that the culture becomes more on-edge, suspicious, and more inclined to act from a threat-perspective, and a need to protect one’s self. Violence becomes inevitable.

You probably weren’t at that political rally when the shots rang out, but you have probably seen news replays (ad infinitum) of it. By now you have also formed opinions about reasons and causes for the ugliness represented in that affair, and who might be accountable. You suspicions have been heightened, your awareness elevated; you are on the lookout for signs that you might associate with the dangers reflected by the context of that event…

You have become infected by the disease of violence.

Donald J. Trump: When the Victim Becomes a Carrier

To his credit, former President Trump has made some moderating statements in the wake of his tragic near-death experience. While the words may be the work of some of his spokespeople, they are attributed to him, and they offer hope. He said…

It was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening. We will FEAR NOT, but instead remain resilient in our Faith and Defiant in the face of Wickedness. Our love goes out to the other victims and their families. We pray for the recovery of those who were wounded, and hold in our hearts the memory of the citizen who was so horribly killed. In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United…

But those were not his first words after that traumatizing event.

Directly after the horrifying instance, upon recognizing that death had passed him by mere fractions of an inch, the former President was lifted shakily to his feet. Surrounded by brave Secret Service agents who had just willingly placed their body between him and potential death, he first sought his shoes – knowing he had to walk. But then – while still in the grip of trauma, and with rivulets of blood tracing a jagged path from his wounded ear to his mouth – he remembered his audience, and turned to address them.

These would be his first words, capturing what he had caught from this devastating experience.

He might have looked upward, to utter words of thanks for the Providence that sheltered him; or he may have turned to thank the Secret Service agents who had so courageously come to his aid.

It would not have been unseemly for him to look about himself, to inquire as to whether other had become victims of the evil so unexpectedly unleashed. But instead, his first words to his followers were, “Fight…Fight…FIGHT!”

Violence yields violence; and when one is victimized by violence it is not unnatural for them to want to strike back. It has become a sports adage that “the best defense is a good offense,” and our culture has now inclined itself towards doing unto others before they can do unto you! Perhaps this is why the United States spends more on its military budget than the next ten nations that follow us in spending… combined!  And maybe that’s why America has more personal firearms than it has people – estimated at 377 Million guns.

But the call to “Fight, Fight, Fight” – a call that has since been repeated by the attendees at the Republican National Convention – reveals something more than resolution and courage. Instead, it inspires people to be prepared to attack, and it pushes them to get in a posture of warfare and to look of an enemy… and then to fight! And while it may be understandably human to feel and respond this way, it also resists the counsel of one who once urged us to consider responding to attacks and offenses by “turn(ing) the other cheek”; words that encourage us to consider reconciliation before pursuing revenge.

But worst of all, it tells us that the disease of violence, sadly, has spread… again.

It May Have Been Too Late to Say Goodbye, But Not Too Late to Address His Addiction.

Carson had been a substance abuser since entering the military. He returned four years later, upon an honorable discharge from the army.  He was one of 13 children and always a loving and devoted son to his parents.

Carson was reared in a very spiritual and loving family.  He was very supportive, caring, and helpful towards his parents all while struggling with his personal drug and alcohol addiction. One afternoon after a day helping his mother and enjoying the afternoon with his parents, he walked out and told his father “I’ll be back.”  

Passing of Time

Later that week Carson’s father, James, went into the hospital for a breathing treatment. His physician decided to extend his stay because the effects of a  longstanding smoking habit were now exacting its toll. James’ lungs had been deteriorating for at least 10 years.  After a week, James was no longer breathing on his own. His body was getting weaker and weaker and his lungs were no longer functioning properly. 

Carson’s mother and siblings visited James several times throughout the week, until the doctor called and told them nothing else could be done for him.

James and seven sons all served in the military.  “You never leave a wounded solider alone,” they believed, and the family gathered around James one last time as the life support was removed.  He passed away early the next morning. 

A week later when James was buried, Carson was absent.  He missed his father’s illness and passing. Carson’s ex- wife, a police officer, went looking for him for the family. When she found him and told him that his father had passed away, Carson was in total disbelief.  He remembered seeing a huge funeral possession going down the street and was so surprised by how long it was, not knowing that it was his own father’s funeral. 

Life, Well-Lived

Immediately, Carson went home to find his mother and a single obituary in the china cabinet.  Carson realized he had to live with this for the rest of his life. 

Ever since that day Carson has lived with his mother and finally found healing in drug recovery.  Carson has begun counseling for PSTD  ( Post Traumatic  Stress Disorder) and also grief counseling. 

All Suffer

Alcoholism and drug addiction have obvious and well-documented effects on chronic substance abusers. Prolonged abuse of drugs and alcohol deteriorate a person’s physical health, impair mental functioning, and damage the spirit. These adverse effects also impact the immediate family’s finances, physical health and psychological wellbeing. 

Family roles naturally shift to adjust to the behaviors associated with drug or alcohol use, and to continue maintaining order and balance. Including the addict, there have been six roles identified to understand how the family functions around the substance abuser. They are:

• The Enabler-Carson’s parents enabled his behavior by allowing him to come and go from their home knowing he was an addict. 
• The Mascot-The Mascot was his sister Ann. This child feels powerless in the dynamics which are going on in the family and tries to interrupt tension, anger, conflict, violence or other unpleasant situations within the family by acting as the “court jester.” The Mascot seeks to be the center of attention in the family, often entertaining the family and making everyone feel better through his or her comedy. She may also use humor to communicate and to confront the family dysfunction, rather than address it directly. 
• The Hero-The Hero in this family was Carson’s mother. This family member devotes his/her time and attention to making the family look “normal” and without problems. The Hero can mask or make up for the dysfunctional home life. Over-responsible and self-sufficient they are often perfectionistic, over-achievers and look very good – on the outside.
• The Scapegoat-The Scapegoat was Darry,l the troubled child. The Scapegoat is the “problem child” or the “trouble maker.” This family member always seems defiant, hostile and angry.  The Scapegoat is the truth teller of the family and will often verbalize or act out the “problem” which the family is attempting to cover up or deny. This individual’s behavior warrants negative attention and is a great distraction for everyone from the real issues at hand.  The Scapegoat usually has trouble.
• The Lost Child-The lost child was Carson’s brother Earl. This child avoids interactions with other family members and basically disappears. They become loners, or are sometimes very shy.  
• The Addict-The Addict was Carson who spent many years fighting this demon inside of him. He felt trapped and worthless in his life. He wanted to stop the drug addiction but didn’t have the desire or motivation to do so. 

No matter how old a parent’s child is, discovering that a child has an addiction can be an unpleasant, rude awakening. It may cause mothers and fathers to question their parental abilities or the decisions they made. Parents of addicts, much like children of addicts, often blame themselves for the development of the substance use disorder.

God is a forgiving God. We must be willing to forgive ourselves and grow from our mistakes.  God can turn even the tragic addiction, and the grief-filled experience of losing his father into complete recovery and restoration.