Parents should look for warning signs

DEAR EDITOR:

Re: “Robbers’ goal was to kill as many officers as possible,’ (Herald, Jan. 21).

The details released about the Auchterlonie brothers’ actions are shocking but, sadly, not all that surprising.

Going back to Columbine in 1999, we’ve seen the same picture of the assailants emerge, time and again.

The families never had a clue as to what was going on in their own homes with their loved ones, until after the tragic event had concluded, usually resulting in one or more deaths, not to mention the wounded officers and their families and the traumatized bystanders.

Shyness can be outgrown or overcome; a person with an introverted personality is simply someone who feels more comfortable focusing inwardly, and enjoys spending time alone on hobbies or in the company of one or two people.

These are normal personality characteristics.

If you’re the parent of a teen or young adult, please take a long, sober, honest look at them. If they’re loners, have trouble forming friendships or are downright anti-social; or if they’ve been bullied at school — these are all warning signs.

We’ve seen these characteristics reported in the media, time and again. Respect for privacy is one thing, but building explosive devices in one’s home, and amassing a small armoury — what possible good end could that come to?

This poor family has received a life sentence; what would they give to be able to go back in time and talk to their loved ones, find out what they were interested in, what they thought about and how they spent their time.

Could there have been a different outcome?

We’ll never know.

One thing is certain, though — no one wants to walk in these folks’ shoes. Lorraine Lindsay Victoria