Robert Hawkins was temporarily placed at an inpatient facility called the Richard Young Center when he was 13-years-old after threatening to kill his step-mother with a knife. He warned, âThe only way she will leave the house is in a body bag.âÂ
During a cognitive behavioral group therapy session the evening of the incident, he thought, âIâm here for no reason, Iâm mad,â although he acknowledged, âThey think I want to kill my parents.â Furthermore, on one of his intake forms, he listed his three feelings as âAngry to be here, relieved to be away from parents, and confused at why Iâm here.â
In the following days, Hawkins remained indecisive about whether he wanted to return home or never step foot in his parents house again, as they explored his relationship with the family, particularly the animosity shown towards his step-mother. He described her as âmean and abusiveâ and that his father âsides with her everytime.â Hawkins commented she just âhates me so muchâ and believed it was due to his biological mother, recalling an argument they had when they first met: âI think my step mom thinks Iâm just like my mom, thatâs why she doesnât like me.â He made several violent Motherâs Day cards for his stepmother, one with a hangmanâs noose on the cover. On the inside, he wrote, âThank you for not letting me kill myselfâ and âI tried to love you but I couldnât.â The cards were confiscated, and in response, he said, âWhy, sheâs just my step-mom and she knows I hate her.â
Hawkins stated he was âscaredâ at home because his parents constantly âyellâ at him, and he exhibited the same fear about an upcoming family meeting. Instead of facing them, he wished âa car would hit my family on their way here so they wouldnât come tonight.â
He displayed a noted hopelessness towards the home situation throughout his time at the facility, once commenting, âI used to cry all the time, but now I canât even cry anymore, I donât even feel anything.â It was also here that he first expressed fantasies of murder-suicide. He told staff, âIf anything happens at home Iâll probably kill my step mom and then kill myself.â
Five years later, this desire would become generalized, as Hawkins opened fire inside Von Maur department store at Westroads Mall, leaving nine dead, including himself.