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The Truth About Mass Shootings in Australia: The Father Usually Did It The Truth About Mass Shootings in Australia: The Father Usually Did It
(about 11 hours later)
SYDNEY, Australia — The police in Western Australia are working to determine why a farmer killed six members of his family, including four young children, before turning a gun on himself.SYDNEY, Australia — The police in Western Australia are working to determine why a farmer killed six members of his family, including four young children, before turning a gun on himself.
The shooting last week in Osmington, a tight-knit rural community near Perth, made headlines around the world for being the worst mass shooting in Australia in more than two decades.The shooting last week in Osmington, a tight-knit rural community near Perth, made headlines around the world for being the worst mass shooting in Australia in more than two decades.
The country prides itself on strict gun-control laws that have decreased the number of mass murders in the recent past. But experts said that the events in Osmington were part of a wider, more insidious problem in rural Australia: suicide and family murder.The country prides itself on strict gun-control laws that have decreased the number of mass murders in the recent past. But experts said that the events in Osmington were part of a wider, more insidious problem in rural Australia: suicide and family murder.
Gun violence in Australia is rare, but when it does occur it is most often a suicide.Gun violence in Australia is rare, but when it does occur it is most often a suicide.
In 2016, the last year for which data is available, 238 people were killed by guns in Australia, compared with 38,658 for the same year in the United States.In 2016, the last year for which data is available, 238 people were killed by guns in Australia, compared with 38,658 for the same year in the United States.
Of those deaths in Australia, 183, or more than 75 percent, were the result of suicides.Of those deaths in Australia, 183, or more than 75 percent, were the result of suicides.
People living in rural areas kill themselves at twice the average rate of those in cities, and farmers are particularly at risk, experts said.People living in rural areas kill themselves at twice the average rate of those in cities, and farmers are particularly at risk, experts said.
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Friday’s shooting, in which Peter Miles, a farmer, is believed to have killed his wife, daughter and four grandchildren, was the deadliest shooting in the country since 1996, when a gunman killed 35 people in Port Arthur, Tasmania.Friday’s shooting, in which Peter Miles, a farmer, is believed to have killed his wife, daughter and four grandchildren, was the deadliest shooting in the country since 1996, when a gunman killed 35 people in Port Arthur, Tasmania.
Before Friday, the worst shooting since 1996 occurred in 2014, when a farmer shot his wife and three children before killing himself.Before Friday, the worst shooting since 1996 occurred in 2014, when a farmer shot his wife and three children before killing himself.
The victims of mass shootings are typically the gunman’s family members, said Glynn Greensmith, a lecturer at Curtin University in Sydney.The victims of mass shootings are typically the gunman’s family members, said Glynn Greensmith, a lecturer at Curtin University in Sydney.
More often than not, the man (and it is usually a man) behind the gun is the victims’ father, partner or husband, Mr. Greensmith said.More often than not, the man (and it is usually a man) behind the gun is the victims’ father, partner or husband, Mr. Greensmith said.
Such killings, known as familicides, have “never attracted the same attention as the mass random shooting,” Mr. Greensmith said, “but has always been higher in number.”Such killings, known as familicides, have “never attracted the same attention as the mass random shooting,” Mr. Greensmith said, “but has always been higher in number.”
The incidence of suicide in rural Australia has been tied to a collapse of the traditional farming economy and a stigma against receiving help for mental health issues.The incidence of suicide in rural Australia has been tied to a collapse of the traditional farming economy and a stigma against receiving help for mental health issues.
Rural suicides are so common that the phenomenon has been given a name: “the good bloke under pressure.”Rural suicides are so common that the phenomenon has been given a name: “the good bloke under pressure.”
Aaron Cockman, the former son-in-law of Peter Miles and the father of the slain children, said on Sunday that Mr. Miles “did not snap” but had been “thinking this through for a long time.”Aaron Cockman, the former son-in-law of Peter Miles and the father of the slain children, said on Sunday that Mr. Miles “did not snap” but had been “thinking this through for a long time.”
“Peter has been trying to hold it together for a long time,” Mr. Cockman said. “He’s just thought: I can’t live any more, so this is it for me. But I need to take out everyone because that will fix the whole problem.”“Peter has been trying to hold it together for a long time,” Mr. Cockman said. “He’s just thought: I can’t live any more, so this is it for me. But I need to take out everyone because that will fix the whole problem.”
Mr. Cockman said Mr. Miles was strained emotionally: One of his sons had killed himself, and another had recently learned he was ill.Mr. Cockman said Mr. Miles was strained emotionally: One of his sons had killed himself, and another had recently learned he was ill.
If you or someone you know needs help within Australia, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36.If you or someone you know needs help within Australia, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36.