This wasn’t an outburst. It was, according to prosecutors, a deliberate, public execution. A bolt-action rifle. A rooftop. A single shot aimed at a political figure speaking to a crowd of thousands. Prosecutors say Tyler James Robinson left a note, sent texts, and planned every detail.
In this gripping and unsettling episode of Hidden Killers, Tony Brueski and psychotherapist Shavaun Scott unravel the deeper psychology of targeted violence—and how some killers don’t just act, they perform.
From the alleged planning to the engraving on the bullets, the post-crime concealment, and the so-called “energy burst” of activity right after the shot—this wasn’t just about killing. It was about control. Symbolism. Message.
In this interview, we explore:
- How violent actors create their own mythology around the act
- The psychology of public spectacle and performance-driven violence
- Why some shooters choose rooftops, long guns, and high-attention moments