Murder: motives, motivations, and instruments of homicide

I have always been fascinated with the reasons why people commit crimes. I remember the first time I left a bank after doing a security inspection as a LEO and confirmed that a bank was about the dumbest place to rob. There were nearly a dozen cameras filming every conceivable angle, employees trained to handle the robbery and report the details, and dye packs designed to detonate if the criminal was able to get any money! I will note that my suggestion of replacing the dye packs with C4 was soundly rejected! Perhaps it was just an inquisitive mind, but I always wondered why people commit crimes in the first place.

My curiosity extended to all types of crimes, but especially violent crimes. I suppose that is why I became a hostage negotiator. I guess part of me used this philosophical inquiry to get through the tougher times on the street as it helped to distance me from the horrific things I saw people do to one another as well as to me and other LEOs.

I suppose this constant cogitation is behind my vehement opposition to gun control. I have seen evil people capable and willing to commit evil acts irrespective of the type or sophistication of the object in their hand or within their grasp. I always advocated for getting to the bottom of why people committed crimes and not trying to eliminate the tools they used to commit the crime.

Recently in Brunswick, Georgia, we received a stark reminder of just how right I am when a 17 and 14 year old tried to rob a woman. They shot her in the leg and shot her 13 month old baby in the face killing the child. The motivation and cold heart behind that act is the true evil to be remedied. Take away the firearm and you still have a 17 year old willing to take the life of an infant. Anyone capable of killing an infant is certainly capable of killing a LEO. If we fail as a society to attack and remedy that type of motivation, no amount of gun control will protect us. Stay safe.