Stop the Killing

Thanks to Imron Corporation for hosting this live episode of Stop the Killing at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, recorded in January 2025.

What do a vehicle attack in New Orleans…a car explosion in Las Vegas…and a targeted assassination in New York…

all have in common?

More than you think.

In this special live episode — recorded on the field at SoFi Stadium in January 2025 — Sarah and Katherine break down three recent, high-profile cases and reveal the patterns that link them.

Because while the headlines call them different things — terrorism, explosion, assassination — the reality is much simpler, and much more important:

They are all acts of targeted violence.

And if we understand the patterns, we have a chance to stop them.

A vehicle used as a weapon.14 people killed. Dozens injured.


How the attacker carried out reconnaissance beforehand


Why temporary security gaps (like removed bollards) mattered


The warning signs that were there before the attack


How planning and opportunity collided in real time

A shocking incident outside a Trump hotel just hours later.


Why this was not what it first appeared to be


The role of mental health and personal crisis


How quickly speculation can spiral into misinformation


The difference between targeted violence and self-directed harm

A calculated, premeditated killing in broad daylight.


10 days of surveillance before the attack


The escape plan — and where it unraveled


How digital footprints helped track the suspect


The disturbing rise of online glorification after violent acts


These incidents may look different — but the behaviour patterns are the same


Targeted violence is almost always planned, not spontaneous


The warning signs are there — but often missed or dismissed


Prevention starts with recognising changes in behaviour


The public plays a critical role, often without realising it

Across all three cases, one theme stands out:

Behavioural change.


Sudden isolation


Dropping off the radar


Changes in routine, work, or communication


Fixation on a person, place, or grievance

These are the signals that matter — whether someone is heading toward harming others or themselves.


Most active attacks are over in minutes


The opportunity to stop them is before they begin


Prevention is always a shared responsibility

This is not about fear.It is about awareness.

This episode was recorded live in January 2025 during the Imron Safety and Security Conference in Los Angeles, surrounded by experts, practitioners, and innovators working on real-world solutions.

We had a brilliant experience with the team at Imron Corporation — from the staff to the exhibitors, the conversations, and the technology on show.

If you are serious about understanding where safety and security is heading, these summits are genuinely worth your time. They bring together industry leaders, law enforcement, and cutting-edge technology in a way that sparks real collaboration.

Find out more about upcoming summits here:https://imron.com/pages/imron-security-and-safety-summit-detroit


Follow Stop the Killing on Apple or Spotify


Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it


Leave a review to help more people find the show

Different headlines.Same patterns.

And the more we understand them, the better chance we have of stopping the next one.



WANT THE VIDEOS HEAD TO YOUTUBE @sarahferrismedia 

And if you are wanting AD FREE | EARLY ACCESS | BONUS CONTENT 

HIT THE BANNER ON APPLE PODCASTS TO SUBSCRIBE

OR SUPPORT US: Patreon.com/stopthekilling 

Message us on instagram : 

@conmunitypodcast

@stopthekillingstories

And for all things Katherine Schweit including where you can purchase her book STOP THE KILLING: How to end the mass shooting crisis head to: www.katherineschweit.com

RESOURCES

Stop the Bleed training

FBI 

RUN, HIDE, FIGHT

This is a CONmunity Podcast Production on the Killer Podcasts Network

Check out more:

CONNING THE CON

KLOOGHLESS - THE LONG CON

GUILTY GREENIE

THE BRAVERY ACADEMY

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join former FBI Katherine Schweit for more on Stop the Killing podcast.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is a reprised episode from Season 4 

SURVIVING PARKLAND 

Join us for a special episode of Stop the Killing podcast as we welcome Elizabeth Stout, a survivor of the Parkland High School shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas. Elizabeth is also the host of the new podcast "Trigger Therapy," where she shares her experiences and insights on surviving a school shooting. In this episode, Elizabeth lays bare what it really is like to "survive" a school shooting, including the struggles with survivor's guilt, PTSD, and much more.

Key Points to Know About the Episode:


Elizabeth Stout: Elizabeth was a student in one of the targeted classrooms during the Parkland shooting. She has since become an advocate for mental health and gun control, and she shares her story and insights on her new podcast "Trigger Therapy."


Surviving a School Shooting: Elizabeth discusses the emotional and psychological toll of surviving a school shooting, including the challenges of coping with trauma, guilt, and grief.


Trigger Therapy: Elizabeth's podcast "Trigger Therapy" offers a platform for survivors of trauma to share their stories and connect with others who have experienced similar struggles. The podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, and we encourage our listeners to check it out.

WANT THE VIDEOS HEAD TO YOUTUBE @sarahferrismedia 

And if you are wanting AD FREE | EARLY ACCESS | BONUS CONTENT 

HIT THE BANNER ON APPLE PODCASTS TO SUBSCRIBE

OR SUPPORT US: Patreon.com/stopthekilling 

Send us your Listener Questions for our Tuesday episodes 

Message us on instagram : 

@conmunitypodcast

@stopthekillingstories

And for all things Katherine Schweit including where you can purchase her book STOP THE KILLING: How to end the mass shooting crisis head to: www.katherineschweit.com

SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS, SUPPORTS THE PODCAST

CRIMECON UK TICKETS HERE

CRIMECON US TICKETS HERE

DON’T forget to use DISCOUNT CODE “FERRIS” 

BLENDJET

Check out BlendJet: The original portable blender

coupon: stk12 (case sensitive)

custom URL: https://zen.ai/stk12

 

Go to blendjet.com and to save 12% use my special link, and the

discount will be applied at checkout https://zen.ai/stk12

RESOURCES

Stop the Bleed training

FBI 

RUN, HIDE, FIGHT

This is a CONmunity Podcast Production on the Killer Podcasts Network

Check out more:

CONNING THE CON

KLOOGHLESS - THE LONG CON

GUILTY GREENIE

THE BRAVERY ACADEMY

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is a reprised listener question from Season 3—and honestly, it’s one that feels just as urgent today as it did then.

Originally sparked by a question about “leakage” (those warning signs before violence), this conversation dives into something we all recognise… but often struggle with:

👉 The hesitation to act.

Why do we see something… feel something… and still say nothing?

In this episode, we explore:


The real reason people hesitate to report concerns


Why your gut instinct matters more than you think


How “leakage” shows up before acts of violence


The critical role everyday people play in prevention

Because here’s the truth:Most people don’t miss the signs…They just don’t act on them.

And as you’ll hear in this episode, that hesitation can be the difference between prevention and tragedy.

One of the biggest barriers isn’t awareness—it’s action. People see things. They feel things. But they don’t always say something.

This is one of those conversations that might just change how you respond the next time something doesn’t feel right.

🎧 Listen now and ask yourself:Would you act… or would you hesitate?

Relevant Resources and Links:


Support us on Patreon for exclusive content and early access to episodes.


Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts.


More insights from Katherine Schweit: Katherine Schweit..


Website: Sarah Ferris Media


Email: [email protected]

Share: If you found this episode insightful, share it with someone who might benefit from it and join the conversation on social media.

RESOURCES


Stop the Bleed training


FBI


RUN, HIDE, FIGHT

This is a Sarah Ferris Media production on the Killer Podcasts Network.Check out more Sarah Ferris Media productions:


CONmunity podcast


KLOOGHLESS - THE LONG CON


GUILTY GREENIE


THE BRAVERY ACADEMY


WATCHING TWO DETECTIVES

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if preventing school shootings has far less to do with reacting… and everything to do with what happens long before?

In this powerful episode of Stop the Killing, Katherine Schweit is joined by leading researchers from the University of Michigan Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention and the National Center for School Safety to unpack what the data actually tells us about stopping violence before it starts.

This isn’t about headlines.This is about evidence, prevention, and what really works.

Dr. Brianna Scott — Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Michigan

Dr. Elyse Thulin — Research Assistant Professor, University of Michigan

Dr. Sarah M. Stilwell — Researcher in Educational Psychology, University of Michigan


Why school shootings are the end of a long chain of missed warning signs


The role of anonymous reporting systems in preventing harm


How school culture, belonging, and connection reduce violence risk


The three critical environments: physical, social, and attentive


Why most youth access to firearms comes from familiar homes


And how early intervention can stop escalation before it becomes tragedy

School shootings don’t begin with a weapon.They begin with missed opportunities to intervene earlier.

Here are the resources mentioned in this episode — all worth exploring:


Youth Empowerment Solutions (YES) Program (free curriculum download):👉 https://yes.sph.umich.edu/


ERPO Toolkit (Extreme Risk Protection Orders):👉 https://firearminjury.umich.edu/erpo-toolkit/


Secure Firearm Storage Toolkit:👉 https://firearminjury.umich.edu/safe-firearm-storage-toolkit-home/


National Center for School Safety:👉 https://www.nc2s.org/


Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention:👉 https://firearminjury.umich.edu/


Comprehensive School Safety Model:👉 https://www.nc2s.org/resource/a-positive-youth-development-approach-to-school-safety/

You don’t need to be an expert to prevent violence.

👉 Notice the signs👉 Speak up👉 Stay connected

Because one action — one conversation — can change everything.

National Center for School Safetyhttps://www.nc2s.org

University of Michigan Institute for Firearm Injury Preventionhttps://firearminjury.umich.edu

Relevant Resources and Links:


Support us on Patreon for exclusive content and early access to episodes.


Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts.


More insights from Katherine Schweit: Katherine Schweit..


Website: Sarah Ferris Media


Email: [email protected]

Share: If you found this episode insightful, share it with someone who might benefit from it and join the conversation on social media.

RESOURCES


Stop the Bleed training


FBI


RUN, HIDE, FIGHT

This is a Sarah Ferris Media production on the Killer Podcasts Network.Check out more Sarah Ferris Media productions:


CONmunity podcast


KLOOGHLESS - THE LONG CON


GUILTY GREENIE


THE BRAVERY ACADEMY


WATCHING TWO DETECTIVES

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices