I believe we will find two similarities with Parkland and Santa Fe. First, I think both kids will be identified as massive gamers (probably forty-plus hours per week of video-gaming). Second, I think both will be eventually identified as regular users of antidepressants.
I do find it odd that the messaging of the Santa Fe episode was basically gone within five days. If there is no assault weapon used....drop it and move on. This is why no one cares about Chicago or the weekly death count there.
Chicago is off the front pages because the killings are mostly Black on Black inner city crimes, can't get soccer moms worked up about that....but if their kids in a suburban schools at risk, whole other story.
There is also the fact that the Santa Fe killer's father is a total wuss. He is calling his son a "victim". He obviously did not instill any manly virtues in his son; probably because he possesses none himself.
If this doesn't prove the media is in the "opinion management" business, nothing will.
If they were to cover the travesty of Chicago like they did Parkland, the National Guard would be deployed there, and Rahm Emanuel would be reduced to a figurehead.
I think another reason is because its Texas. The media doesn’t care about what happens to the folks here, other than Austin. Unless its some Biblical type flooding event, the attitude seems to be “ehh, who cares”.
And as a Texan, that works for me.