Many have a fascination with guns, particularly assault weapons. Perpetrators of workplace violence tend to be overly invested in the job, as it is one of their only sources of socialization, self-worth or productivity in their lives. Those who commit workplace violence frequently have poor communication and conflict management skills. Some workers appear more and more disheveled before an attack, which may be suggestive growing depression, mania or general psychosis. The most dangerous individuals psychiatrically speaking are those who are paranoid and have psychotic features.
Attackers tend to state that others are responsible for their terrible feelings or actions.
There are three critical points in an employee's work life cycle where violence is most likely to occur. The day of and immediately following termination. For example, a fired employee's wife leaves after hearing he's lost another job. Further, his hoped-for lawsuit for wrongful termination is dismissed as not likely to be won by a series of potential lawyers. Workplace violence is rarely related to domestic issues alone.