The author indicates that some of the most atrocious murders are, in fact, committed by "good kids" who have never given a prior indication of violence. Many of these young killers share similar backgrounds and experiences and often exhibit warning signs before erupting into violence. By recognizing these warnings and understanding patterns of experience that can motivate violent crimes, parents, counselors, educators, and law enforcement officials can begin to address the challenge of increasing youth violence. A list of resources on youth violence is appended. References, notes, tables, and figures