Stop the Killing

Stop the Killing

Exploring the Darkest Corners of Violence Prevention and Survival: Join Katherine Schweit, former head of the FBI's Active Shooter Program, and award-winning true-crime producer Sarah Ferris in Stop the Killing, the true-crime podcast that doesn’t just document tragedy but empowers listeners with the tools to prevent it. This series masterfully blends deep dives into infamous mass shootings, high-stakes FBI cases, and real-world survivor stories with expert analysis and practical safety strategies. Schweit—who led the first government study on mass shootings after Sandy Hook—delivers powerful insights, while Ferris transforms each episode into a gripping, unforgettable journey. Together, they equip listeners to recognize warning signs, understand preventative strategies, and become "upstanders" in the face of violence. In Season 5, meet heroes, advocates, and experts whose stories demand action—from Parkland parents who turned grief into advocacy, to Chris Hansen of To Catch a Predator - each story a call to action in America's ongoing fight against gun violence. Stop the Killing isn’t just a podcast; it’s an indispensable guide to saving lives.

Episodes

February 16, 2025 18 mins
🎧 SEASON 5 BONUS 23 🎧 Valentine’s Day School Shooting Averted: The Tip That Stopped a Tragedy An 18-year-old student in Martinsville, Indiana, was arrested before carrying out a planned school shooting—thanks to one crucial tip. The shooter, who idolized past mass killers, had been plotting the attack for over a year, referring to it as “Parkland Part Two.” 🔎 How was the attack stopped before it happened? 📲 What role did an ano...
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BONUS EPISODE: SWEDEN’S DARK DAY 🔒 Exclusive for Subscribers – Public Release Tomorrow In this special breaking news episode, Stop the Killing co-host Katherine Schweit provides an update on a mass shooting that took place in Örebro, Sweden. This is the country’s deadliest mass shooting to date, and the community is now facing the difficult process of understanding what happened and supporting those affected. What We Know So Far: ...
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SANDY HOOK PARENT’S FIGHT FOR SAFER SCHOOLS In this compelling season finale, we sit down with Michele Gay, co-founder of Safe and Sound Schools and mother to Josephine, one of the young victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. Michele shares her personal journey of unimaginable loss, resilience, and the determination to create meaningful change in the face of tragedy. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS Michele recounts the events of...
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S5E11 THE DIGITAL WOLF PACK: INSIDE THE DARK SIDE OF ONLINE COMMUNITIES In this episode of Stop the Killing, we’re joined by criminologist Dr. Honor Doro Townsend for an eye-opening discussion about the dangers lurking in digital communities. Together, we explore: The shift from lone wolves to "digital wolf packs" and how online spaces foster radicalization. The subtle use of humor and memes as tools for extremist recruitment. T...
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GLOBAL CRIME: LESSONS FROM SOUTH AFRICA TO THE U.S. In this episode, Sarah and Katherine explore the stark differences in crime trends between South Africa and the United States. Focusing on a tragic mass shooting in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province, they examine how cultural, legal, and societal factors shape the nature of violence in different countries. From the chilling details of a targeted attack at a family gathering to ...
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Episode Update: NEW YEAR'S DAY TERROR: BOURBON STREET ATTACK & PIPE BOMB THREAT Since recording this episode, the FBI has provided new details about the New Orleans attack on Bourbon Street. Initially, there were concerns about multiple individuals being involved, particularly those seen near the explosive devices concealed in coolers. However, investigators have now confirmed they are confident this was the act of a single offende...
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BEYOND METAL DETECTORS: DR. STILWELL ON TRULY COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL SAFETY In this eye-opening episode, we dive into the hidden layers of school safety with Dr. Sarah Stilwell, a leading researcher from the University of Michigan’s National Center for School Safety. Dr. Stilwell brings an innovative approach to creating safer schools—one that goes beyond physical barriers like metal detectors and explores a truly comprehensive model...
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HOW FLAG LAWS SAVE LIVES: LESSONS FROM LEWISTON In this episode of Stop the Killing, we explore the real-life impact of red and yellow flag laws in preventing gun violence and saving lives. Using the Lewiston, Maine tragedy as a case study, we discuss how flag laws function as critical tools for law enforcement, families, and communities in averting potential acts of violence and suicide. Our conversation covers: How red and yello...
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Bonus Episode: Abundant Life Christian School Shooting Show Notes: This is an early access bonus episode exclusively for our subscribers. Recorded on December 17, 2024, just a day after the tragic shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, this episode provides an overview of what we currently know about the incident. In this episode: A timeline of events as they unfolded. Clarification on early misinformat...
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S5E7: Analyzing the Lewiston Shooting - Military Links and Missed Signals In this gripping conclusion to our two-part series on the Lewiston Shooting, Katherine and Sarah dive back into the tragic events of October 25, 2023, with Robert Conlin, author of The Lewiston Shooting: An All-American Tragedy. In Part One, we examined the immediate impact of the shooting on the small, close-knit community of Lewiston, Maine. If you haven’t ...
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S5E6: ANALYZING THE LEWISTON SHOOTING - TRAGEDY STRIKES MAINE (Part 1) In this powerful episode, Katherine and Sarah dive into Part One of the Lewiston Shooting tragedy with special guest Robert Conlin, author of The Lewiston Shooting: An All-American Tragedy. Together, they explore the tragic events of October 25, 2023, when an Army Reserve soldier with a history of erratic behavior took the lives of 18 people across two locations...
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December 4, 2024 37 mins
CHRIS HANSEN CATCHING PREDATORS Inside the Mind of Predators: Chris Hansen on 20 Years of Crime-Fighting Season 5 Episode 5 Introduction: In this gripping episode of the Stop the Killing podcast, host Katherine Schweit sits down with renowned investigative journalist Chris Hansen, famous for his work on To Catch a Predator. Over the past two decades, Hansen has exposed hundreds of online predators, shining a light on some of the da...
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How Anonymous Tips Stop School Violence with Dr. Elyse J. Thulin Introduction: In this episode of Stop the Killing, hosts Katherine Schweit and Sarah Ferris sit down with Dr. Elyse J. Thulin, Ph.D., Assistant Research Professor at the University of Michigan’s Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention. Dr. Thulin shares her groundbreaking research on how anonymous reporting systems in K-12 schools are helping prevent school shootings,...
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November 20, 2024 46 mins
Episode Title: The Trump Assassination Attempt In this special live episode, recorded at CrimeCon London 2024, Sarah Ferris and Katherine Schweit, former head of the FBI's Active Shooter program, take you behind the scenes of an unprecedented and chilling event—the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024. The episode details the harrowing moments when eight shots were fired a...
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November 13, 2024 50 mins
Hometown Hero: Stopping a School Shooter in His Kids' School In this gripping episode, we sit down with Tom Smith, retired NYPD detective and co-host of The Gold Shields Podcast. Tom shares a harrowing personal account of when his professional and personal worlds collided—when he had just days to stop a school shooting at his own children’s school. Tom reveals the chilling details of the threat, the investigation, and the ultimate...
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November 6, 2024 54 mins
Title: The Legacy of Joaquin Oliver: Live from the Aspen Ideas Festival Season 5 Episode 1 Introduction: In this compelling episode of the Stop the Killing podcast, host Katherine Schweit is joined by Manuel and Patricia Oliver, the courageous parents of Joaquin Oliver, who tragically lost his life in the 2018 Parkland shooting. Recorded live at the Aspen Ideas Festival, this episode takes listeners through the Oliver family's jour...
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WATCHING TWO DETECTIVES : SEASON 2 EPISODE 1  The Last Fare – The Tragic Murder of Youbert Hormozi Introduction: Here at Stop the Killing, we wanted to take a moment to share a project that is especially close to Sarah’s heart: Season 2 of Watching Two Detectives. This season, titled The Last Fare, dives into the tragic murder of Youbert Hormozi, a devoted father and hardworking taxi driver from Southwest Sydney. In this deeply per...
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October 23, 2024 24 mins
Get Ready for Season 5: Expert Insights and Inspiring Stories on Gun Violence Introduction: Welcome back to Stop the Killing with your hosts, Katherine Schweit and Sarah Ferris. Season 5 is on the horizon, and we’re bringing you an impactful lineup of episodes focused on ending gun violence. In this pre-launch episode, we give you a sneak peek of what’s to come, featuring real stories from survivors, cutting-edge research, and powe...
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RESISTANT PRINCIPALS, PERSISTENT PARENTS S4 LISTENER QUESTION BONUS 11 In this week's exclusive bonus episode of Stop the Killing podcast, Katherine and Sarah answer a very relatable listener question addressing how to navigate conversations with resistant school principals when it comes to below-standard safety in your children's school. How can persistent parents deal with resistant principals? Find out on this exclusive Apple su...
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Introduction: In this special episode, while Katherine and I are working hard on Season 5 of Stop the Killing, we’re excited to share something impactful with you. Today, we’re bringing you a previously subscriber-only episode, but if you're already a subscriber on Patreon or Apple, there's also an exclusive bonus episode waiting for you today! Additionally, we’re taking this chance to introduce you to one of our favorite interview...
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