Their killings and their racism are both products of the delusional thinking caused by their illness. If their schizophrenia had been adequately treated, these crimes would never have happened. Let us be clear that individuals with schizophrenia who are receiving treatment are not more dangerous than the general population. Multiple studies have demonstrated that. But those who are not being treated are more dangerous.
Schizophrenia is a treatable illness but requires the taking of medication for long periods of time.
Because of the nature of the brain damage caused by schizophrenia, many individuals with the disease are not aware that they are sick and therefore refuse to take medication. They will take it only when placed on some form of assisted treatment such as outpatient commitment. Although details of the treatment of Baumhammers and Taylor have not been made public, it is virtually certain that they were not taking the medication they needed to remain well. Pennsylvania has an outpatient commitment law but, like those in most states, it is virtually never used. Individuals like Baumhammers and Taylor usually give warning of their potential dangerousness.