Spree killer Levi King: Were signs missed? | Forensic Files

Every time there's a mass shooting or a mass killing, you always wonder why didn't someone recognize that the
shooter had a problem, someone in his family, and stop him. Well, there were certainly plenty of signs in Levi King's
background. Levi King was showing antisocial behavior when he was very young. He was setting fires and killing
animals. And he did go to several psychiatric institutions. I'm just going to read a little bit of some things that
appear in his record. Six years before he ever walked into Robin Don's house. Here's one. October 24th, 1999. He tells
doctors that he wants a gun and a pen because he wants to write a suicide note. Levi tells the doctors that he's
hearing voices on the phone that aren't there. He says he's in the hospital because of drug abuse. Asked what drugs.
He replies, "More than you know." This is six years before he goes to Robin Don's home. He is diagnosed with
psychosis, probably manic depressive, manic type. Then November 29th of that same year, he's been hearing voices for
a long time. According to this record, since age 11, he has said he's tried to kill himself several times. And
according to this record, he's still barely able to hold a conversation. And yet later on, he's out. He burns
down a neighbor's home after he burglarizes the house. He's sentenced to 14 years. And despite this whole
background, he's sent to a halfway house just three years into that sentence. And
that's why he's free to be able to go to Robin Don's house, kill her entire family in September 2005.

"48 Hours" correspondent Erin Moriarty reflects on Levi King’s past behavior. King is responsible for murdering families in Texas and Missouri.

Brief Summary

Levi King's early signs of mental illness led to a tragic family killing in 2005.

Key points

Levi King's Troubling Signs. Levi King exhibited antisocial behavior from a young age, raising red flags.
Psychiatric History. Levi's mental health issues were documented years before his crime.
Tragic Outcome. Despite his background, Levi was released early and committed a horrific act.

Episode highlights

Episode quotes

Why didn't someone recognize that the shooter had a problem?

Reflecting on the signs missed before a tragedy.

0:03WatchJan 4, 2015

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