Studies indicate that the more media attention a shooter gets, the more likely the event will inspire a future mass shooter. For example, a 2015 study found that after a mass shooting, there was an increased chance of another one occurring in the next 13 days.[9] A 2017 study found that media coverage of a mass shooting may increase the frequency and lethality of future shootings for much longer than two weeks.[10]
Lankford also studied 24 mass shooters who openly admitted they wanted fame or contacted the media directly to get it.[7] Studies of mass shooters that are based on available documentation and interviews found that many had narcissistic personalities that crave fame and attention;[16] narcissistic personality disorder is often not considered a mental illness.