The shooter in a rampage that killed eight people inside a mall in Omaha, Neb., 19-year-old Robert Hawkins, turned the gun on himself.
The depressed teenager is quoted in a suicide note, "Now I'll be famous."
University of Houston Media Professor Garth Jowett said he believes until society spends more to treat mental extension rack, we will see more mass shootings.
"The existence of the media and particularly fast-paced media does have the potential of encouraging people with psychological problems to consider if they're going to commit suicide. They also want to be famous at the same time," Jowett said.
Hawkins dropped put of high school, had a non-violent criminal past, and struggled with depression. His family kicked him out so he lived with a friend's family.
Two weeks ago he lost his girlfriend, and one week later lost his job.
Ronda Robinson is executive director of Covenant House Texas, which helps homeless extension rackin Houston with housing and counseling.
It is currently assisting 110 homeless teens, many with problems similar to what Hawkins was experiencing.
"It could have been that nobody really ever paid him any attention, to see some of the things that were going on with him. It was a cry for help, and they were ignored so this way he thinks I'm going to be seen," Robinson said.
