How many people would take up a weapon to kill to protect someone? Most of us would, if driven to it. But how many would take up a weapon and kill for a living? Not many! How many would find new and creative ways to do it, or even to excel at it? Fewer still! The United States Secret Service studied 83 people who had attacked or tried to attack celebrities or political figures in the second half of the 20^th century. Psychologists and agents analyzed the lives of assassins both living and dead. In fact, 23 real-life assassins participated in the study! The discoveries were truly fascinating: The assassins killed for one of eight major motives: To achieve notoriety or fame To bring attention to a personal or public problem To avenge a perceived wrong; to retaliate for a perceived injury To end personal pain; to be removed from society; to be killed To save the country or the world; to fix a world problem To develop a special relationship with the target To make money To bring about political change There are four types of assassins: Type I assassins view their acts as a probable sacrifice of self for a political ideal. Type II assassins are persons with overwhelming and aggressive egocentric needs for acceptance, recognition, and status. Type III assassins are psychopaths (or sociopaths) who believe that the condition of their lives is so intolerably meaningless and without purpose that destruction of society and themselves is desirable for its own sake. Type IV assassins are characterized by severe emotional and cognitive distortions that are expressed in hallucinations and delusions of persecution and/or grandeur. As a rule, their acts are mystically “divinely” inspired—in a word, irrational or insane. (Source: JAAPL) Here is the reasoning behind the actions of assassins trying to kill the U.S. President: What kind of person becomes an assassin? 77% were white and 86% male 51% had used a handgun and 30% a rifle 25% were employed full time 57% were not delusional 61% had been evaluated or treated for mental health problems 41% had shown signs of being suicidal and 39% had a history of substance abuse 97% had a history of strongly expressed resentment and grievances 0% sent a direct threat to the person targeted (Source: Psychology Today) According to the Secret Service, it's nearly impossible to identify an assassin by WHO THEY ARE. Assassins look like just everyone else you know. There is no specific psychological profile to determine what kind of person becomes an assassin. However, they can be identified by WHAT THEY DO. There may be a few indications of their behavior, and there is a very logical (in their mind) trail of events that led them to believe assassination is acceptable. Psychologists can analyze the thought processes and patterns that led them down the path to taking another person's life. You cannot simple label them as "crazy" or "irrational", despite their actions. While mental health problems are common among assassins, the delusions--while influencing their decision to kill--did NOT divorce them from reality. They understood full well what they were doing and why. The mind of a killer is a truly fascinating (and horrifying) place, and you can find a lot more information at the following websites: New York Times: Secret Service Challenges Assassin Stereotypes Psychology Today: The Mind of the Assassin Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law: Assessing Presidential Stalkers and Assassins This last link is particularly interesting, and it contains a WEALTH of information on the subject.