List of manifestos of mass killers

This is a list of manifestos written by mass killers and attempted mass killers, explaining their motives for their actions.

Analysis

The term "targeted violence manifesto" was coined by Julia Kupper and J. Reid Meloy to describe publications that are "intended to justify an act of violence against a specific target by articulating self-identified grievances, homicidal intentions, and/or extreme ideologies for committing an attack." They identified such publications as largely being written by a single creator prior to the attack, and that they often "express beliefs and ideas to violently promote political, religious, or social changes."[1] Manifestos are often written to influence like-minded individuals to commit copycat attacks.[1]

A 2017 analysis found the following themes in the manifestos of mass murderers: ego survival and revenge; pseudocommando mindset: persecution, obliteration; envy; nihilism; entitlement; and heroic revenge fantasy.[2] Authors of terrorist manifestos, particularly ones that are "violent self-sacrificial" manifestos, often use language displaying identity fusion, where the identity as part of the group defines one's sense of self.[3] The FBI conducted a study of 52 lone terrorists in 2019, which found that 96% produced either writings or videos intended to explain their beliefs to others; they found that in 88% of cases, perpetrators published their manifestos before the attack occurred, or "leakage," which is a valuable opportunity for intervention.[4] Many manifestos contain calls for violence against the identified "out-group".[5]

A 2023 analysis of the language typologies of lone actor manifestos divided the studied manifestos into three typologies: instigator, planner, and conspiracy, of which about 90% could be identified as belonging to one category.[6]

  • "Instigator" manifestos largely contained hateful language on a racial or religious basis; such manifestos feature prominent themes of revenge and often cite real world events as catalysts. These attackers, who tend to be younger, are likely to target places related to the group they are against, such as government or religious buildings, or educational facilities. Killers in this group tended to be younger. Examples of the authors of such manifestos include Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, Brenton Tarrant, and Charles Bishop.[7]
  • "Conspiracy" manifestos are written by perpetrators whose ideologies are based around and who believe in conspiracy theories. Such conspiracies can be personal or related to wider world events. Environmental conspiracies are especially prevalent in this category; attackers tend to target locations directly tied to the relevant conspiracy, and have a higher rate of explosive use. Examples of this category were given as Patrick Crusius, Ted Kaczynski, Lucas Helder, Anson Chi, and James Von Brunn.[8]
  • "Planner" manifestos are more focused on violence and the attack itself, with more focus on the specific details, explaining how the attack was conducted, and justifying it. Manifestos largely focused on preparations for the attack. Killers in this category were likely to identify themselves by their real name in their manifesto, which is an aspect that can aid crime investigators. Examples of this group were Elliot Rodger and Jim Adkisson.[9]

List

Name of manifesto Author Language Date published Notes Length Sources
Industrial Society and Its Future Ted Kaczynski English 19 September 1995 The manifesto was published in The Washington Post and The New York Times, after Kaczynski said he would end his bombing campaign if they did so. The manifesto contends that the Industrial Revolution began a harmful process of natural destruction brought about by technology, while forcing humans to adapt to machinery, creating a sociopolitical order that suppresses human freedom and potential. The 35,000-word manifesto formed the ideological foundation of Kaczynski's 1978–1995 mail bomb campaign, designed to protect wilderness by hastening the collapse of industrial society. 35,000 words (~100 pages) [10][11]
Communication From the Dead Robert Flores English 28 October 2002 Flores mailed a 22 page letter to the Arizona Daily Star, who later published it online, discussing his reasons for committing the shooting and giving a chronology of his life, stating that it was about "settling accounts". He then shot and killed three professors and himself at the University of Arizona School of Nursing. Two of his victims were named in the letter. 22 pages [12]
Unnamed Seung-Hui Cho English 16 April 2007 The manifesto was mailed to NBC News an hour and a half after Cho had first opened fire. Upon receiving the package on April 18, 2007, NBC News contacted authorities and made the controversial decision to publicize Cho's communications by releasing a small fraction of what it received. The manifesto was described as "rambling" and "incoherent", with Cho criticizing "rich brats" and referring to the perpetrators of the Columbine High School massacre as martyrs. 23 pages [13]
Natural Selector's Manifesto Pekka-Eric Auvinen English, Finnish 7 November 2007 Auvinen published a "media package" through RapidShare that he linked from his YouTube channel, containing 21 files including pictures of himself, his school, and guns, as well as several word files. The word files gave background on the attack, with Auvinen describing the attack as "political terrorism" and saying that he didn't want the attack to be called a "school shooting". 3 pages [14][15]
Unnamed Jim Adkisson English 27 July 2008 A four page manifesto found in his vehicle after the shooting attributed his motivation for the rampage as a hatred of liberals, Democrats, African Americans, and homosexuals. 4 pages [16]
2083: A European Declaration of Independence Anders Behring Breivik English 22 July 2011 Breivik wrote a manifesto running to 1,518 pages and is credited to "Andrew Berwick" (an Anglicization of Breivik's name). It was emailed to over 1000 email contacts less than an hour and a half before his bomb went off. 1,518 pages [17]
Manifest Dmitry Vinogradov Russian 7 November 2012 Posted on Vkontakte, expresses his hatred towards mankind, comparing humans to cancer. 2 pages [18]
Unnamed Christopher Dorner English 6 February 2013 The manifesto cites anti-police sentiment as a reason for killings. 11,000 words (~32 pages) [19]
Ragnarok Alex Hribal English 6 April 2014 Cites the Columbine shooters as inspiration and expresses moral nihilism. 4 pages [20]
My Twisted World: The Story of Elliot Rodger Elliot Rodger English 23 May 2014 Rodger emailed his 107,000-word manifesto to 34 people, including his therapist, Charles Sophy, his parents and other family, former teachers, and childhood friends. 107,000 words (~300 pages) [21]
rtf88 Dylann Roof English 17 June 2015 The manifesto was posted on Roof's website, The Last Rhodesian, which also contained several photos of himself. Roof claimed in the manifesto that he had been radicalized after looking up "black on white crime" and was led to white supremacist websites. His manifesto was described by an expert on extremism as not belonging to the "mainstream" of white supremacist ideology. 2,444 words (~7 pages) [22][23]
My Manifesto Christopher Harper-Mercer English 1 October 2015 The manifesto, carried on a USB drive, was given to a UCC student in Snyder Hall. It was later released by investigators. In the manifesto, Harper-Mercer wrote his actions were done to serve Satan, who, according to Harper-Mercer, would "reward" murderers in hell by turning them into "gods". A large portion of the manifesto was devoted to describing Mercer's hatred of black men. He also described having "kinship" with various other mass and serial murderers, including Ted Bundy, the Columbine shooters, and the Sandy Hook School shooter. 6 pages [24][25][26]
The Great Replacement Brenton Tarrant English 15 March 2019 Tarrant wrote a 74-page manifesto, posted on 8chan and emailed to several politicians and newsrooms. It was titled The Great Replacement, a reference to the "Great Replacement" and "white genocide" conspiracy theories, which it largely focuses on, connecting it with elements of the Eurabia conspiracy theory. The manifesto has been noted to be less explicitly antisemitic than other white nationalist manifestos, instead blaming Muslims, but contains heavily antisemitic themes and euphemises Jews as "globalists"; Tarrant describes himself as a racist and fascist. 74 pages [27][28]
An Open Letter John Earnest English 27 April 2019 Earnest posted an anti-semitic and racist open letter on 8chan shortly before the shooting, and signed with his name. It was heavily focused on white genocide as an idea; the manifesto accused Jews of genociding the white race. He declared Tarrant his greatest inspiration, and takes credit for previously attempting to burn down a mosque. 9 pages [29]
The Inconvenient Truth Patrick Crusius English 3 August 2019 Crusius posted a manifesto to 8chan shortly before the shooting, explicitly inspired by Christchurch. The manifesto's posting resulted in the shutdown of 8chan. 2,300 words (~7 pages) [27]
Techno-Barbarism: A Spiritual Guide for Discontented White Men in the Current Year +4 Stephan Balliet English 9 October 2019 The manifesto was published on the imageboard Meguca. Structured in a similar way as the Christchurch manifesto, it has a list of "Achievements" alluding to first-person shooter games and contains numerous anime references. It discusses the weapons he planned to use in detail, with comparatively less focus on ideological elements. 11 pages [30][31][32]
Unnamed Mohammed Alshamrani English 6 December 2019 Posted on Alshamrani's Twitter account, it condemned the United States as a "nation of evil" for their supposed crimes against Muslims and humanity. 4 pages [33]
Skript mit Bilder Tobias Rathjen English, German 19 February 2020 Rathjen uploaded three videos to his personal website, as well as a 24 page "script" in both English and German. In the manifesto, Rathjen adhered to far-right terror narratives, as well as elements of niche online conspiracies. He claimed a secret service organization had surveilled him since his birth and that he could observe events from a distance through the power of his mind. 24 pages [34]
A White Awakening Nathaniel Veltman English 6 June 2021 Inspired by the Christchurch terrorist's manifesto, the manifesto was found on a thumb drive inside of Veltman's residence. 74 pages [35][36]
manifest.txt Hugo Jackson English 19 August 2021 The manifesto was shared to users on the messaging app Discord by Jackson. He complains about Muslims immigrating into Sweden, liberal Swedish politicians and Black people. He also quotes the Christchurch mosques shooter and expresses his desire for people to join neo-nazi organizations, such as Atomwaffen Division. 658 words (~2 pages) [37]
You Wait for a Signal While Your People Wait for You Payton Gendron English 12 May 2022 Titled after a quote from the Christchurch terrorist, the manifesto is focused on mass immigration and holds anti-Black views. The manifesto was originally posted on Google Docs two days before the attack and had not been modified since. The manifesto is largely plagiarized from The Great Replacement. 180 pages [38][39][40]
The Downward Spiral of "Ethan Miller" Ethan Miller English 28 August 2022 Posted on Wattpad, the manifesto describes his isolation and solitude as well as his inspiration by the Columbine High School massacre. 15 pages [41]
O pós modernismo e suas consequências na nossa nação, 'Post-modernism and Its Consequences for Our Nation' Not released Portuguese 26 September 2022 A few hours before committing a shooting at the Barreiras school, the perpetrator published a manifesto on his Twitter account. In his manifesto, the perpetrator claimed to be superior to others, in addition to containing speeches in favor of racial supremacy and hate speeches against different communities such as the LGBT community, the residents of Bahia and the school community itself, in addition to stating that his intentions were to murder as many people as possible so that they "felt divine wrath". 29 pages [42][43]
A Call to Arms Juraj Krajčík English 12 October 2022 Just a few hours before the attack, links to a 65-page long manifesto were posted on Twitter. In the document, the author does not provide their name, claiming it is not of importance and "will be known later anyway", but identifies himself as a man of Slovak origin born on July 28, 2003, who has decided to "execute an operation" against "the enemies of the white race". The manifesto blames Jews and LGBT people for "causing harm to white people" and celebrates mass murderers, including Breivik and the perpetrators of Christchurch mosque shootings and Poway synagogue shooting. 65 pages [44][45]
Unnamed Aiden Hale English 27 March 2023 Hale's manifesto was not originally released to the public pending a lawsuit for their release, but on November 6, 2023, 3 pages were leaked online by Steven Crowder followed by the Nashville MPD opening an investigation. The leaked manifesto complained about those Hale considered to have white privilege. The leaked pages also included the plans for the shooting. 90 pages [46][47]
Unnamed Connor Sturgeon English 10 April 2023 Sturgeon's manifesto was detailed in a journal he kept, wherein he expressed frustration with the ease of access to firearms in the United States, intending for his shooting to bring about change in this regard. In addition, Sturgeon complained of corrupt politicians and a lack of action regarding mental health treatment. 13 pages [48]
A White Boy Summer to Remember Ryan Palmeter English 26 August 2023 Palmeter had three letters, two of which were not released to the public. One of them was released by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. It contains sentiments of racism against African Americans and anti-semitism. He cited the perpetrator of the Christchurch shootings as his primary inspiration. 26 pages [49][50][51]

References

  1. ^ a b Kupper et al. 2022, p. 9.
  2. ^ Hamlet, Laura E. (2017). Common Psycholinguistic Themes in Mass Murderer Manifestos (PhD thesis). Walden University. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  3. ^ Ebner, Kavanagh & Whitehouse 2022, p. 12.
  4. ^ Kupper, Julia (5 May 2022). "Preventing Attacks Using Targeted Violence Manifestos". FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin. Federal Bureau of Investigation. ISSN 0014-5688. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  5. ^ Ebner, Kavanagh & Whitehouse 2022, p. 16.
  6. ^ Siggery, Hunt & Tzani 2023, pp. 398–401.
  7. ^ Siggery, Hunt & Tzani 2023, pp. 398–399.
  8. ^ Siggery, Hunt & Tzani 2023, pp. 300–401.
  9. ^ Siggery, Hunt & Tzani 2023, pp. 399–400.
  10. ^ Graham, Donald E.; Sulzberger Jr., Arthur O. (19 September 1995). "Statement by Papers' Publishers". The Washington Post. p. A07. Archived from the original on 4 May 2011. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  11. ^ "Post, Times publish Unabomber manifesto". CNN. 19 September 1995. Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  12. ^ Rotstein, Arthur H. (30 October 2002). "Gunman's letter tries to explain university shootings". Arizona Daily Sun. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  13. ^ Apuzzo, Matt (18 July 2007). "Va. gunman sent videos and photos to NBC". The Roanoke Times. Associated Press. Archived from the original on 19 April 2007. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  14. ^ "YouTubessa viesti ammuskelusta jo tiistaina" [A YouTube message on a jumper Tuesday]. Yle (in Finnish). 7 November 2007. Retrieved 26 September 2008.
  15. ^ Mäki, Matias (7 November 2007). "Tuusulan ampuja jätti Youtubeen täyden mediapaketin" [Tuusula shooter left Youtube a full media package]. Digitoday (in Finnish). Taloussanomat. Archived from the original on 9 September 2009. Retrieved 7 November 2007.
  16. ^ Neiwert, David (2017). Alt-America: The Rise of the Radical Right in the Age of Trump. Verso Books. p. 18. ISBN 978-1-78663-424-5.
  17. ^ Taylor, Matthew (26 July 2011). "Breivik sent 'manifesto' to 250 UK contacts hours before Norway killings". The Guardian. UK. Archived from the original on 28 July 2011. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
  18. ^ Akhgar, Babak; Wells, Douglas; Blanco, José María (2019). Investigating Radicalization Trends: Case Studies in Europe and Asia. Springer Nature. pp. 47, 50. ISBN 978-3-030-25436-0.
  19. ^ Christopher Goffard; Joel Rubin; Kurt Streeter; Illustrations by Doug Stevens (8 December 2013). "The Manhunt for Christopher Dorner, Chapter 2: Fear and the City". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 31 December 2013. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  20. ^ Cholodofsky, Rich (19 January 2018). "Alex Hribal to speak before sentencing for Franklin Regional attack". Tribune-Review. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  21. ^ Duke, Alan (27 May 2014). "Five revelations from the 'twisted world' of a 'kissless virgin'". CNN. Archived from the original on 31 May 2014. Retrieved 31 May 2014.
  22. ^ Buncombe, Andrew (29 June 2015). "Dylan Roof: Experts believe Charleston shooting suspect was author of racist manifesto and 'self-radicalised' online". The Independent. Retrieved 30 June 2015.
  23. ^ Neuman, Scott (20 June 2015). "Photos Of Dylann Roof, Racist Manifesto Surface On Website". NPR. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  24. ^ Fowler, Tara; Keating, Susan Katz (2 October 2015). "Oregon Shooting: Gunman Wrote About Obsession with Satan in Reported Manifesto". People. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  25. ^ Theen, Andrew (9 September 2017). "Umpqua Community College shooting: Killer's manifesto reveals racist, satanic views". oregonlive. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  26. ^ Coffman, Keith (8 September 2017). "Oregon college shooter wrote of kinship with mass killers in manifesto". New York Daily News. Reuters. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  27. ^ a b Kupper et al. 2022, pp. 7, 14.
  28. ^ Nilsson 2022, pp. 224, 226, 228.
  29. ^ Nilsson 2022, pp. 221, 227–228.
  30. ^ Meleagrou-Hitchens, Crawford & Wutke 2021.
  31. ^ Nilsson 2022, p. 223.
  32. ^ Kupper et al. 2022, p. 14.
  33. ^ "Naval Air Station shooter wrote manifesto condemning US as 'nation of evil:' report". WTTG. 7 December 2019. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  34. ^ Hummel 2020, pp. 1–2.
  35. ^ Sims, Jane (4 October 2023). "In manifesto, Nathaniel Veltman called for 'violent revolution'". The London Free Press. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  36. ^ Dubinski, Kate (4 October 2023). "Manifesto of man accused of terror attack against London, Ont., Muslim family read at murder trial". CBC News. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  37. ^ Kupper et al. 2022.
  38. ^ Jarvie, Jenny; Hennessy-Fiske, Molly; Winton, Richard (15 May 2022). Lauter, David (ed.). "A new generation of white supremacist killer: shedding blood with internet winks, memes and livestreams". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 17 May 2022. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  39. ^ Sharlet, Jeff (17 May 2022). "The Terrifying Familiarity of the Buffalo Shooting Suspect's Extremist Screed". Vanity Fair. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  40. ^ Telvock, Daniel (16 May 2022). "Racist screed linked to Buffalo mass shooter 'plagiarized' portions from Christchurch mosque shooter, expert says". WIVB. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  41. ^ Lamoureux, Mack (30 August 2022). "'I Can't Wait to Die': Oregon Mass Shooter Shared Detailed 'Doomsday' Plans Online". Vice News. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  42. ^ "Atentado em Barreiras: jovem atirador declarou informações e planos sobre o atentado em rede social". Farol da Bahia (in Brazilian Portuguese). 26 September 2022. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  43. ^ "Barreiras: Cadeirante morta tinha 21 anos; atirador não tinha alvo específico". Bahia Notícias (in Brazilian Portuguese). 26 September 2022. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  44. ^ Osvaldová, Lucia; Benedikovičová, Mária (13 October 2022). "Vrah zo Zámockej bol šikovný žiak, ale bez kamarátov a s prejavmi zúrivosti. Obdivoval Breivika aj Eichmanna, nacionalizmus mal aj doma". Denník N (in Slovak). Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  45. ^ Potocký, Erik (13 October 2022). "Manifest vraha / Esencia číreho antisemitizmu". Konzervatívny denník Postoj (in Slovak). Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  46. ^ Kruesi, Kimberlee (6 November 2023). "Nashville investigating after possible leak of Covenant shooting images". Associated Press. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  47. ^ Schumacher, Thomas (6 November 2023). "Update: Nashville School Mass Shooter's Manifesto Leaked; FBI & Shooter's Family Refuses To Comment". WSAU. Wausau. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  48. ^ Marcus, Josh (21 April 2023). "Louisville bank shooter wrote about mental illness and ease of buying guns in 'manifesto', report says". The Independent. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  49. ^ Gancarski, A.G. (19 January 2024). "Jacksonville Sheriff's Office releases manifesto of racist Dollar General murderer". Florida Politics. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  50. ^ Stanley, Jason (30 August 2023). "The racist Florida shooter's ideology extends to ordinary people". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  51. ^ "Jacksonville Shooter's Newly Public Writings Reveal White Supremacist Beliefs". Anti-Defamation League. 22 January 2024. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
Sources

Further reading

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