S6E12 From Survival to Action: Whitney Austin on Recovery & Preventing Gun Violence — Part 2

What happens when three experienced investigators from opposite sides of the world sit down to examine how police respond to an active shooter? In this special crossover between Stop the Killing and Watching Two Detectives, former FBI Special Agent Katherine Schweit joins retired New South Wales detectives Peter Hogan and Scott Rogan for an expert examination of the lessons that have reshaped mass-shooting prevention, preparation and police response. Katherine was working on national security and counterterrorism cases when the murder of 20 children and six educators at Sandy Hook Elementary School changed the direction of her career. Following the shooting, she was appointed to the White House team tasked with developing a coordinated national response to mass shootings and became the architect of the FBI’s Active Shooter Program. In Part One, Katherine explains how the devastating events at Sandy Hook helped accelerate a fundamental change in policing: moving away from the traditional strategy of “contain, negotiate and wait” towards the immediate deployment of officers to confront and stop an active threat. Peter and Scott reveal how those lessons travelled across the world and influenced Australian policing. They discuss the introduction of New South Wales Police’s Active Armed Offender training, the impact of the 2014 Lindt Café siege and the confronting reality of preparing ordinary frontline officers to run towards attackers armed with military-style weapons. Together, they explore: Why active-shooter incidents can be over within minutes The extraordinary risks faced by the first officers entering the scene Why an active shooter and a mass shooting are not always the same thing Why workplaces—not schools—account for many active-shooter attacks in the United States The challenges of negotiating with attackers driven by extremist or ideological motives Why warning signs must be recognised and reported before violence begins How information shared by one student helped prevent a planned school shooting Why measuring the attacks that never happened is so important Katherine also shares the remarkable story of the message that reminded her why Stop the Killing must continue: a school vice principal who credited the podcast with helping her team recognise the warning signs and prevent a planned attack. This conversation lays the groundwork for the next part of the series, when Katherine, Peter and Scott turn their attention to the December 14, 2025 Bondi Beach terrorist attack, examining the actions of the attackers, civilians and responding officers through their combined FBI and Australian policing experience. The attack targeted a Hanukkah celebration and killed 15 people.  This is not simply a conversation about what happened. It is a conversation about what has been learned, what has changed—and what still needs to change to stop the next attack. Listen now to Part One of this special multi-part crossover. Stop the Killing on Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/stop-the-killing/id1585146489 Watching Two Detectives on Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/watching-two-detectives/id1740792484 Watching Two Detectives Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/wtd Stop the Killing Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/stopthekilling Please follow both podcasts and leave a five-star review wherever you listen. Your support helps us continue producing independent investigations, sharing the experiences of survivors and law-enforcement professionals, and creating conversations that may genuinely help save lives. Join us for Part Two, when the experts begin their examination of the Bondi Beach attack. This episode contains discussions of mass shootings, terrorism, child victims and traumatic events. Listener discretion is advised. This is a Sarah Ferris Media on the Killer Podcasts Network Check out more Sarah Ferris Media productions: CONNING THE CON KLOOGHLESS - THE LONG CON GUILTY GREENIE THE BRAVERY ACADEMY LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Stop the Killing update, Katherine Schweit revisits the Richneck Elementary School shooting in Newport News, Virginia — the case where a six-year-old student shot his teacher, Abigail Zwerner, in January 2023. This episode focuses on the latest legal development: the dismissal of criminal charges against former assistant principal Ebony Parker, who had been accused of felony child abuse and endangerment after warnings were allegedly raised before the shooting. Katherine explains what happened in court, why the judge dismissed the charges, and why this case continues to raise difficult questions about school shooting prevention, gun safety, child access to firearms, school accountability, and legal responsibility. When a six-year-old cannot be held criminally responsible, who can be? The parent? The school? The administrator? The system? For more detail on the original incident, listen to our earlier episode:Richneck Elementary School – Stop the Killinghttps://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/richneck-elementary-school/id1585146489?i=1000610558667 You can also listen to our follow-up episode on the case here:https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/stop-the-killing/id1585146489?i=1000621142440 In this episode:Katherine discusses the Richneck Elementary shooting, the criminal case against Ebony Parker, the role of school warnings, the mother’s conviction for child neglect, and the broader accountability crisis surrounding children, firearms, and school safety. Keywords: Richneck Elementary School shooting, Newport News school shooting, Abigail Zwerner, six-year-old shooter, Ebony Parker, school shooting prevention, gun safety, child access to guns, school accountability, Stop the Killing podcast, Katherine Schweit. SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS, SUPPORTS THE PODCAST CRIMECON UK TICKETS HERE CRIMECON US TICKETS HERE DON’T forget to use DISCOUNT CODE “FERRIS”  RESOURCES Stop the Bleed training FBI  RUN, HIDE, FIGHT This is a Sarah Ferris Media on the Killer Podcasts Network Check out more Sarah Ferris Media productions: CONNING THE CON KLOOGHLESS - THE LONG CON GUILTY GREENIE THE BRAVERY ACADEMY Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Part Two of this powerful conversation, Katherine Schweit continues her discussion with Whitney Austin — survivor of the 2018 Cincinnati mass shooting and founder of Whitney Strong. In Part One, Whitney shared the moment she was shot 12 times in less than a minute while walking into her workplace. In this episode, we pick up where that story left off. Whitney takes us through the long road to recovery — multiple surgeries, months of physical and mental rehabilitation, and the determination it took to rebuild her life. But survival was only the beginning. Whitney shares how that experience became the catalyst for action — leading her to create Whitney Strong, an organisation focused on finding common ground to reduce gun violence through practical, data-driven solutions. This episode explores: The physical and mental recovery after surviving a mass shooting Turning trauma into purpose The creation and mission of Whitney Strong Community-based solutions to prevent gun violence The reality of pushing for change — and why persistence matters From hands-on safety training to advocating for targeted legislation, Whitney explains how small, practical actions can come together to save lives. This is a conversation about what comes after survival — and how one person can turn tragedy into impact. Learn more about Whitney’s work:Whitney Strong WANT THE VIDEOS HEAD TO YOUTUBE @sarahferrismedia  And if you are wanting AD FREE | EARLY ACCESS | BONUS CONTENT  HIT THE BANNER ON APPLE PODCASTS TO SUBSCRIBE OR SUPPORT US: Patreon.com/stopthekilling  Message us on instagram :  @conmunitypodcast @stopthekillingstories And for all things Katherine Schweit including where you can purchase her book STOP THE KILLING: How to end the mass shooting crisis head to: www.katherineschweit.com RESOURCES Stop the Bleed training FBI  RUN, HIDE, FIGHT This is a CONmunity Podcast Production on the Killer Podcasts Network Check out more: CONNING THE CON KLOOGHLESS - THE LONG CON GUILTY GREENIE THE BRAVERY ACADEMY Klooghless: The Long Con  Watching Two Detectives  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this powerful first part of a two-part conversation, Katherine Schweit speaks with Whitney Austin, survivor of the 2018 Cincinnati mass shooting and founder of Whitney Strong. Whitney shares the ordinary morning that became life-changing: driving from Kentucky to Cincinnati for work, walking into her office building while on a conference call, and suddenly finding herself caught in an active shooter situation. Shot 12 times, Whitney recalls the terrifying moments inside the revolving door, the clarity that helped her survive, the first responders who reached her, and the phone call to her husband that no family should ever receive. This episode explores survival, situational awareness, trauma, and the ripple effects of violence — not only on those physically injured, but on families, workplaces, first responders, and entire communities. In Part Two, Katherine and Whitney discuss recovery, Whitney Strong, and how Whitney turned unimaginable trauma into action. Learn more about Whitney’s work:Whitney Strong In this episode: Whitney Austin’s experience during the 2018 Cincinnati shooting Why situational awareness matters The role of first responders in active shooter events The impact of gun violence beyond the immediate victims What it means to survive — and begin again Part Two is out next week. For early access, ad-free episodes, and to support the work we do, subscribe on Apple Podcasts or visit:patreon.com/stopthekilling WANT THE VIDEOS HEAD TO YOUTUBE @sarahferrismedia  And if you are wanting AD FREE | EARLY ACCESS | BONUS CONTENT  HIT THE BANNER ON APPLE PODCASTS TO SUBSCRIBE OR SUPPORT US: Patreon.com/stopthekilling  Message us on instagram :  @conmunitypodcast @stopthekillingstories And for all things Katherine Schweit including where you can purchase her book STOP THE KILLING: How to end the mass shooting crisis head to: www.katherineschweit.com RESOURCES Stop the Bleed training FBI  RUN, HIDE, FIGHT This is a CONmunity Podcast Production on the Killer Podcasts Network Check out more: CONNING THE CON KLOOGHLESS - THE LONG CON GUILTY GREENIE THE BRAVERY ACADEMY Klooghless: The Long Con  Watching Two Detectives  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Part 2 of this conversation, former FBI agent Katherine Schweit continues her deep dive with experts from Integras Intelligence — unpacking one of the most misunderstood and frustrating questions in the aftermath of targeted violence. Joining Katherine are: Michael Ginch, Manager, Investigations Forhad Razzaque, President Why many perpetrators have no obvious warning signs — and why that’s increasing The uncomfortable truth: people close to offenders are often shocked by what happens  Why “being on the radar” can mean almost anything — from minor past incidents to vague concerns The legal reality: why law enforcement can’t act without threshold evidence How free speech and civil liberties limit intervention — even when something feels wrong Why monitoring the internet is not as simple as it sounds (and why it’s impossible to catch everything) The problem of false positives — and why context matters more than keywords One of the most striking takeaways from this episode: 👉 Many organisations don’t even have a basic system for reporting concerns. Which means: Warning signs may never reach decision-makers Employees don’t know who to tell And even when they do… there’s no clear process for action As the Integras team explains, prevention isn’t about catching everything —it’s about what you do when something is flagged. You can’t prevent every act of violence. But you can build systems that make it harder to miss the signals that matter. Because when something goes wrong, the real question isn’t just: “Were they on the radar?” It’s: “What did we do when they were?” In Part 1, Katherine breaks down: What background checks actually reveal Why investigations are limited by law And how risk is assessed before an incident Learn more about the team behind this episode:👉 ⁠https://integrasintel.com/about/team/⁠ WANT THE VIDEOS HEAD TO YOUTUBE ⁠@sarahferrismedia⁠  And if you are wanting AD FREE | EARLY ACCESS | BONUS CONTENT  HIT THE BANNER ON ⁠APPLE PODCASTS TO SUBSCRIBE⁠ OR SUPPORT US:⁠ ⁠⁠Patreon.com/stopthekilling⁠  Message us on instagram :⁠ ⁠ ⁠@conmunitypodcast⁠ ⁠@stopthekillingstories⁠ And for all things Katherine Schweit including where you can purchase her book STOP THE KILLING: How to end the mass shooting crisis head to: ⁠www.katherineschweit.com⁠ RESOURCES ⁠Stop the Bleed training⁠ ⁠FBI ⁠ ⁠RUN, HIDE, FIGHT⁠ This is a ⁠CONmunity Podcast Production⁠ on the Killer Podcasts Network Check out more: ⁠CONNING THE CON⁠ ⁠KLOOGHLESS - THE LONG CON⁠ ⁠GUILTY GREENIE⁠ ⁠THE BRAVERY ACADEMY⁠ ⁠Klooghless: The Long Con⁠  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the aftermath of a shooting, we hear the same haunting phrase: “He was on the radar.” But what does that actually mean? In this episode of Stop the Killing, former FBI agent Katherine Schweit sits down with experts from Integras Intelligence to unpack the reality behind background checks, threat assessment, and the limits of what can — and can’t — be known before tragedy strikes. Joining Katherine are: Michael Ginch, Manager, Investigations Forhad Razzaque, President Together, they take you inside the world most people never see — the one behind the headlines. What a background check actually is — and why it’s not just a simple report The difference between public perception and real investigative capability Why not all information can legally be collected, shared, or acted upon The concept of “permissible purpose” — and how it limits investigations Why companies often run only basic checks (and what gets missed as a result) The tension between speed, cost, and depth when hiring or assessing risk How investigators assess potential threats using context — not just data As Katherine and her guests explain, background checks are not a crystal ball — they’re a snapshot in time, shaped by legal boundaries, resources, and human judgement.  Just because someone was “on the radar”…doesn’t mean there was enough evidence — or legal authority — to act. And that’s where the real complexity begins. In Part 2, Katherine digs deeper into the question everyone asks after an attack: 👉 If they were on the radar… why weren’t they stopped? You’ll hear: The legal thresholds that prevent intervention Why law enforcement can’t act on instinct alone The myth that “everything online is being monitored” And what responsibility falls on organisations — and individuals — to report concerns Part 2 is available now for subscribers on Apple Podcasts and Patreon. Learn more about the team behind this episode:👉 https://integrasintel.com/about/team/ WANT THE VIDEOS HEAD TO YOUTUBE @sarahferrismedia  And if you are wanting AD FREE | EARLY ACCESS | BONUS CONTENT  HIT THE BANNER ON APPLE PODCASTS TO SUBSCRIBE OR SUPPORT US: Patreon.com/stopthekilling  Message us on instagram :  @conmunitypodcast @stopthekillingstories And for all things Katherine Schweit including where you can purchase her book STOP THE KILLING: How to end the mass shooting crisis head to: www.katherineschweit.com RESOURCES Stop the Bleed training FBI  RUN, HIDE, FIGHT This is a CONmunity Podcast Production on the Killer Podcasts Network Check out more: CONNING THE CON KLOOGHLESS - THE LONG CON GUILTY GREENIE THE BRAVERY ACADEMY Klooghless: The Long Con  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EPISODE DROP: The Badmiral (CONmunity – Season 2, Episode 1)“Hoisting the Sails of Suspicion” This week on Stop the Killing, we’re briefly switching gears to bring you something a little different… and trust me, it’s worth it. It started, as these things often do, with a message. A listener reaches out with a story about a man calling himself an Admiral — a leader of a global disaster response organisation promising million-dollar budgets, elite teams, and international backing. But as I start pulling on that thread… the story begins to unravel. What follows is a world of: Fake titles and real military figures Promises of $250,000 salaries that never materialise A mysterious organisation called IntSAR And one question that refuses to go away… Is this the beginning of something legitimate — or the early signs of a global con? This is Episode One of The Badmiral — where we set sail into a story that quickly becomes stranger than fiction. You can listen to the rest of The Badmiral and explore CONmunity here:👉 Apple Podcasts (search: CONmunity Podcast) If you enjoy investigative storytelling like this, check out: Klooghless: The Long Con — a deep dive into one of New Zealand’s most fascinating fraud cases Watching Two Detectives — real detectives breaking down real cases with insider insight (All links are in the show notes) Huge congratulations to Katherine Schweit — her bookWomen Who Talk to the Dead is currently topping the Amazon charts in its category. If you’ve been meaning to read it, now’s your moment We’ll be back to regular Stop the Killing programming next week. But for now…welcome aboard The Badmiral. Follow Stop the Killing on Apple or Spotify Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it Leave a review to help more people find the show WANT THE VIDEOS HEAD TO YOUTUBE @sarahferrismedia  And if you are wanting AD FREE | EARLY ACCESS | BONUS CONTENT  HIT THE BANNER ON APPLE PODCASTS TO SUBSCRIBE OR SUPPORT US: Patreon.com/stopthekilling  Message us on instagram :  @conmunitypodcast @stopthekillingstories And for all things Katherine Schweit including where you can purchase her book STOP THE KILLING: How to end the mass shooting crisis head to: www.katherineschweit.com RESOURCES Stop the Bleed training FBI  RUN, HIDE, FIGHT This is a CONmunity Podcast Production on the Killer Podcasts Network Check out more: CONNING THE CON KLOOGHLESS - THE LONG CON GUILTY GREENIE THE BRAVERY ACADEMY Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thanks to Imron Corporation for hosting this live episode of Stop the Killing at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, recorded in January 2025. What do a vehicle attack in New Orleans…a car explosion in Las Vegas…and a targeted assassination in New York… all have in common? More than you think. In this special live episode — recorded on the field at SoFi Stadium in January 2025 — Sarah and Katherine break down three recent, high-profile cases and reveal the patterns that link them. Because while the headlines call them different things — terrorism, explosion, assassination — the reality is much simpler, and much more important: They are all acts of targeted violence. And if we understand the patterns, we have a chance to stop them. A vehicle used as a weapon.14 people killed. Dozens injured. How the attacker carried out reconnaissance beforehand Why temporary security gaps (like removed bollards) mattered The warning signs that were there before the attack How planning and opportunity collided in real time A shocking incident outside a Trump hotel just hours later. Why this was not what it first appeared to be The role of mental health and personal crisis How quickly speculation can spiral into misinformation The difference between targeted violence and self-directed harm A calculated, premeditated killing in broad daylight. 10 days of surveillance before the attack The escape plan — and where it unraveled How digital footprints helped track the suspect The disturbing rise of online glorification after violent acts These incidents may look different — but the behaviour patterns are the same Targeted violence is almost always planned, not spontaneous The warning signs are there — but often missed or dismissed Prevention starts with recognising changes in behaviour The public plays a critical role, often without realising it Across all three cases, one theme stands out: Behavioural change. Sudden isolation Dropping off the radar Changes in routine, work, or communication Fixation on a person, place, or grievance These are the signals that matter — whether someone is heading toward harming others or themselves. Most active attacks are over in minutes The opportunity to stop them is before they begin Prevention is always a shared responsibility This is not about fear.It is about awareness. This episode was recorded live in January 2025 during the Imron Safety and Security Conference in Los Angeles, surrounded by experts, practitioners, and innovators working on real-world solutions. We had a brilliant experience with the team at Imron Corporation — from the staff to the exhibitors, the conversations, and the technology on show. If you are serious about understanding where safety and security is heading, these summits are genuinely worth your time. They bring together industry leaders, law enforcement, and cutting-edge technology in a way that sparks real collaboration. Find out more about upcoming summits here:https://imron.com/pages/imron-security-and-safety-summit-detroit Follow Stop the Killing on Apple or Spotify Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it Leave a review to help more people find the show Different headlines.Same patterns. And the more we understand them, the better chance we have of stopping the next one. WANT THE VIDEOS HEAD TO YOUTUBE @sarahferrismedia  And if you are wanting AD FREE | EARLY ACCESS | BONUS CONTENT  HIT THE BANNER ON APPLE PODCASTS TO SUBSCRIBE OR SUPPORT US: Patreon.com/stopthekilling  Message us on instagram :  @conmunitypodcast @stopthekillingstories And for all things Katherine Schweit including where you can purchase her book STOP THE KILLING: How to end the mass shooting crisis head to: www.katherineschweit.com RESOURCES Stop the Bleed training FBI  RUN, HIDE, FIGHT This is a CONmunity Podcast Production on the Killer Podcasts Network Check out more: CONNING THE CON KLOOGHLESS - THE LONG CON GUILTY GREENIE THE BRAVERY ACADEMY Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join former FBI Katherine Schweit for more on Stop the Killing podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is a reprised episode from Season 4  SURVIVING PARKLAND  Join us for a special episode of Stop the Killing podcast as we welcome Elizabeth Stout, a survivor of the Parkland High School shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas. Elizabeth is also the host of the new podcast "Trigger Therapy," where she shares her experiences and insights on surviving a school shooting. In this episode, Elizabeth lays bare what it really is like to "survive" a school shooting, including the struggles with survivor's guilt, PTSD, and much more. Key Points to Know About the Episode: Elizabeth Stout: Elizabeth was a student in one of the targeted classrooms during the Parkland shooting. She has since become an advocate for mental health and gun control, and she shares her story and insights on her new podcast "Trigger Therapy." Surviving a School Shooting: Elizabeth discusses the emotional and psychological toll of surviving a school shooting, including the challenges of coping with trauma, guilt, and grief. Trigger Therapy: Elizabeth's podcast "Trigger Therapy" offers a platform for survivors of trauma to share their stories and connect with others who have experienced similar struggles. The podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, and we encourage our listeners to check it out. WANT THE VIDEOS HEAD TO YOUTUBE @sarahferrismedia  And if you are wanting AD FREE | EARLY ACCESS | BONUS CONTENT  HIT THE BANNER ON APPLE PODCASTS TO SUBSCRIBE OR SUPPORT US: Patreon.com/stopthekilling  Send us your Listener Questions for our Tuesday episodes  Message us on instagram :  @conmunitypodcast @stopthekillingstories And for all things Katherine Schweit including where you can purchase her book STOP THE KILLING: How to end the mass shooting crisis head to: www.katherineschweit.com SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS, SUPPORTS THE PODCAST CRIMECON UK TICKETS HERE CRIMECON US TICKETS HERE DON’T forget to use DISCOUNT CODE “FERRIS”  BLENDJET Check out BlendJet: The original portable blender coupon: stk12 (case sensitive) custom URL: https://zen.ai/stk12   Go to blendjet.com and to save 12% use my special link, and the discount will be applied at checkout https://zen.ai/stk12 RESOURCES Stop the Bleed training FBI  RUN, HIDE, FIGHT This is a CONmunity Podcast Production on the Killer Podcasts Network Check out more: CONNING THE CON KLOOGHLESS - THE LONG CON GUILTY GREENIE THE BRAVERY ACADEMY Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices