Another Expected Tragedy

From the May 30, 2012 Seattle Times:

While police said they did not know the motive for the shootings, Stawicki's family said he had a history of anger and mental-health problems that he refused to deal with.

His brother, Andrew Stawicki, 29, of Ellensburg, said that when he saw a photo on the news of the alleged gunman inside Cafe Racer, he recognized it as his big brother.

...

But over the past five or so years, Ian Stawicki severely changed.

"Angry. He was really angry toward everything," Andrew Stawicki said.

Despite his problems, Ian Stawicki would not talk about his mental illness, his anger or other troubles, his brother said.

"Someone like that is so stubborn you can't talk to him," he said. "It's no surprise to me this happened. We could see this coming. Nothing good is going to come with that much anger inside of you."

...

Andrew Stawicki said their family long hoped Ian would go to mental-health treatment or take medication to keep his moods in balance.

Stawicki was arrested in February 2008 on a misdemeanor domestic-violence charge in Seattle and soon posted $10,000 bail. He pledged to stay 500 feet away from a 37-year-old woman and listed his home address in Magnolia. His attorney fought the charges, and they were dismissed.
He was also charged with fourth-degree assault in Kittitas County in 2010, but that case was dismissed as well; court records did not indicate why.

As usual, plenty of warning.  Plenty of criminal behavior that, in conjunction with his mental illness, would have led to hospitalization and treatment in 1960.  This might or might not have cured him, but at least there was a chance.  Not today.  As I point out in this article, this is hardly a unique situation.  It's amazing that no publisher is interested in this subject.  It's kind of important.