Subscriber Exclusive Early Access 

In this special briefing, retired FBI executive Katherine Schweit — former head of the Bureau’s Active Shooter Program — brings her insider expertise to unpack the assassination of political commentator Charlie Kirk.

Recorded just days after the Utah campus shooting, Katherine cuts through the noise of conspiracy theories and political spin to deliver verified facts: how the sniper carried out the attack, what evidence investigators recovered, and why the suspect’s background and online activity matter.

Drawing on her decades inside the FBI, Katherine explains the investigative process step by step — fr...

In this clip, retired FBI executive Katherine Schweit — former head of the FBI’s Active Shooter Program — breaks down the disturbing messages the shooter sent after the attack.

Katherine explains how these texts became central to the witness tampering and obstruction of justice charges, and why prosecutors place such weight on this kind of evidence when building a case.

🎧 The full episode is available now with early access:
🔹 On Apple Subscriptions
🔹 On Patreon: patreon.com/stopthekilling

When speculation runs wild, Katherine brings you the facts only an FBI insider can deliver.

Learn more...

🚨 “We need to strip away the noise and focus on the facts.” — Katherine Schweit

The assassination of Charlie Kirk is dominating headlines — but speculation and conspiracy theories are drowning out the truth.

That’s why former FBI executive Katherine Schweit, who once led the Bureau’s Active Shooter Program, breaks it all down:
✔️ What actually happened
✔️ What investigators know so far
✔️ Why assassinations follow the same warning signs as mass shootings

🎧 Full episode now streaming — ad-free on Patreon & Apple Podcasts.
👉 Link in shownotes.

#CharlieKirk #FBI #TrueCrimePodcast #ActiveShooter #StopTheKilling #KatherineSchweit

...

This week on Stop the Killing, we’re bringing you some rare and cautiously optimistic news.
Former FBI agent Katherine Schweit breaks down the newly released FBI 2024 Active Shooter Report, and the headline is striking:

📉 A 50% decrease in active shooter incidents across the United States.

But what does that really mean? Are prevention efforts working? And where are these incidents still happening – and why?

In this episode, you'll learn:

The difference between mass shootings and active shooter incidents

Why open spaces are now the most common location for these attacks<...

BONUS: BLOODSHED BADDIES x STOP THE KILLING

In this bonus episode, we're sharing a conversation originally recorded for the Bloodshed Baddies podcast—where our very own Katherine Schweit joins Lex and Sam for an unfiltered, fascinating, and sometimes funny deep dive into her career and mission.

From her early days in journalism to becoming the FBI’s top expert on active shooter response, Katherine reflects on how each chapter prepared her for the next—and why she's still working to prevent the next tragedy.

They also discuss Katherine’s latest book, Women Who Talk to...

Season 5 – BONUS 3: CANCER UPDATE, BOOK RELEASE, LIVERPOOL ATTACK

This bonus episode of Stop the Killing is a deeply personal and powerful one.

🎧 Sarah shares her stage 4 cancer diagnosis and how she's navigating life on a new form of targeted therapy that’s giving her quality of life and a surprising amount of hope.📘 Katherine unveils her brand-new true crime book Women Who Talk to the Dead—an extraordinary story of 200 unidentified murder victims and the groundbreaking exhumation project led by female law enforcement officers.🚨 Plus, the pair break down the recent shocking car-ramming incident in Liverpool, a...

🎧 SEASON 5 BONUS 23 🎧

Valentine’s Day School Shooting Averted: The Tip That Stopped a Tragedy

An 18-year-old student in Martinsville, Indiana, was arrested before carrying out a planned school shooting—thanks to one crucial tip. The shooter, who idolized past mass killers, had been plotting the attack for over a year, referring to it as “Parkland Part Two.”

🔎 How was the attack stopped before it happened?

📲 What role did an anonymous reporting system play?

💡 What warning signs were overlooked—and what can we learn from them?

Join Katherine Schweit as she breaks dow...

BONUS EPISODE: SWEDEN’S DARK DAY

🔒 Exclusive for Subscribers – Public Release Tomorrow

In this special breaking news episode, Stop the Killing co-host Katherine Schweit provides an update on a mass shooting that took place in Örebro, Sweden. This is the country’s deadliest mass shooting to date, and the community is now facing the difficult process of understanding what happened and supporting those affected.

What We Know So Far:

SANDY HOOK PARENT’S FIGHT FOR SAFER SCHOOLS

In this compelling season finale, we sit down with Michele Gay, co-founder of Safe and Sound Schools and mother to Josephine, one of the young victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. Michele shares her personal journey of unimaginable loss, resilience, and the determination to create meaningful change in the face of tragedy.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

S5E11 THE DIGITAL WOLF PACK: INSIDE THE DARK SIDE OF ONLINE COMMUNITIES

In this episode of Stop the Killing, we’re joined by criminologist Dr. Honor Doro Townsend for an eye-opening discussion about the dangers lurking in digital communities. Together, we explore:

Drawing on her extensive research, Dr. To...

GLOBAL CRIME: LESSONS FROM SOUTH AFRICA TO THE U.S.

In this episode, Sarah and Katherine explore the stark differences in crime trends between South Africa and the United States. Focusing on a tragic mass shooting in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province, they examine how cultural, legal, and societal factors shape the nature of violence in different countries.

From the chilling details of a targeted attack at a family gathering to the broader implications of gun violence statistics, the conversation highlights global challenges and contrasts. Katherine also shares insights from her FBI experience, uncovering pa...

Episode Update: NEW YEAR'S DAY TERROR: BOURBON STREET ATTACK & PIPE BOMB THREAT

Since recording this episode, the FBI has provided new details about the New Orleans attack on Bourbon Street. Initially, there were concerns about multiple individuals being involved, particularly those seen near the explosive devices concealed in coolers. However, investigators have now confirmed they are confident this was the act of a single offender.

The people initially thought to be co-conspirators were, in fact, curious onlookers who happened to be near the devices. This clarification significantly changes the scope of the investigation but reinforces...

BEYOND METAL DETECTORS: DR. STILWELL ON TRULY COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL SAFETY

In this eye-opening episode, we dive into the hidden layers of school safety with Dr. Sarah Stilwell, a leading researcher from the University of Michigan’s National Center for School Safety. Dr. Stilwell brings an innovative approach to creating safer schools—one that goes beyond physical barriers like metal detectors and explores a truly comprehensive model that supports both physical and psychological safety for students.

Dr. Stilwell explains the "hidden formula" to effective school safety strategies that focus on the whole environment. She breaks down her...

HOW FLAG LAWS SAVE LIVES: LESSONS FROM LEWISTON

In this episode of Stop the Killing, we explore the real-life impact of red and yellow flag laws in preventing gun violence and saving lives. Using the Lewiston, Maine tragedy as a case study, we discuss how flag laws function as critical tools for law enforcement, families, and communities in averting potential acts of violence and suicide.

Our conversation covers:

Bonus Episode: Abundant Life Christian School Shooting

Show Notes:

This is an early access bonus episode exclusively for our subscribers. Recorded on December 17, 2024, just a day after the tragic shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, this episode provides an overview of what we currently know about the incident.

In this episode:

S5E7: Analyzing the Lewiston Shooting - Military Links and Missed Signals

In this gripping conclusion to our two-part series on the Lewiston Shooting, Katherine and Sarah dive back into the tragic events of October 25, 2023, with Robert Conlin, author of The Lewiston Shooting: An All-American Tragedy. In Part One, we examined the immediate impact of the shooting on the small, close-knit community of Lewiston, Maine. If you haven’t listened to Part One, be sure to start there for a complete understanding of this complex story.

Episode Highlights:

S5E6: ANALYZING THE LEWISTON SHOOTING - TRAGEDY STRIKES MAINE (Part 1)

In this powerful episode, Katherine and Sarah dive into Part One of the Lewiston Shooting tragedy with special guest Robert Conlin, author of The Lewiston Shooting: An All-American Tragedy. Together, they explore the tragic events of October 25, 2023, when an Army Reserve soldier with a history of erratic behavior took the lives of 18 people across two locations in Lewiston, Maine. The shooting sparked a 46-hour manhunt that paralyzed the entire state.

Episode Highlights:

CHRIS HANSEN CATCHING PREDATORS

Inside the Mind of Predators: Chris Hansen on 20 Years of Crime-Fighting

Season 5 Episode 5

Introduction:

In this gripping episode of the Stop the Killing podcast, host Katherine Schweit sits down with renowned investigative journalist Chris Hansen, famous for his work on To Catch a Predator. Over the past two decades, Hansen has exposed hundreds of online predators, shining a light on some of the darkest corners of the internet. In this conversation, Hansen discusses the evolution of investigative journalism, the challenges in fighting online crime, and what still...

How Anonymous Tips Stop School Violence with Dr. Elyse J. Thulin

Introduction:

In this episode of Stop the Killing, hosts Katherine Schweit and Sarah Ferris sit down with Dr. Elyse J. Thulin, Ph.D., Assistant Research Professor at the University of Michigan’s Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention. Dr. Thulin shares her groundbreaking research on how anonymous reporting systems in K-12 schools are helping prevent school shootings, suicides, and other forms of violence. Her insights into these technology-facilitated systems highlight the crucial role they play in saving lives by identifying early warning signs and allowing st...

Episode Title: The Trump Assassination Attempt

In this special live episode, recorded at CrimeCon London 2024, Sarah Ferris and Katherine Schweit, former head of the FBI's Active Shooter program, take you behind the scenes of an unprecedented and chilling event—the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024.

The episode details the harrowing moments when eight shots were fired at the former president, killing a local firefighter, Corey Comperatore, and injuring two others. Sarah and Katherine dive into the layers of the incident, from the shooter’s motives to the actions of l...

Hometown Hero: Stopping a School Shooter in His Kids' School

In this gripping episode, we sit down with Tom Smith, retired NYPD detective and co-host of The Gold Shields Podcast. Tom shares a harrowing personal account of when his professional and personal worlds collided—when he had just days to stop a school shooting at his own children’s school. Tom reveals the chilling details of the threat, the investigation, and the ultimate prevention of what could have been a devastating tragedy.

Summary of Key Topics Covered:

Title: The Legacy of Joaquin Oliver: Live from the Aspen Ideas Festival

Season 5 Episode 1

Introduction: In this compelling episode of the Stop the Killing podcast, host Katherine Schweit is joined by Manuel and Patricia Oliver, the courageous parents of Joaquin Oliver, who tragically lost his life in the 2018 Parkland shooting. Recorded live at the Aspen Ideas Festival, this episode takes listeners through the Oliver family's journey of transforming their unimaginable grief into impactful activism.

Summary: The episode offers an intimate look into how Manuel and Patricia have dedicated their lives...

WATCHING TWO DETECTIVES :

SEASON 2 EPISODE 1

 The Last Fare – The Tragic Murder of Youbert Hormozi

Introduction:

Here at Stop the Killing, we wanted to take a moment to share a project that is especially close to Sarah’s heart: Season 2 of Watching Two Detectives. This season, titled The Last Fare, dives into the tragic murder of Youbert Hormozi, a devoted father and hardworking taxi driver from Southwest Sydney. In this deeply personal project, Sarah brings together the detectives who solved the case and the family left behind, creating a space for their stori...

Get Ready for Season 5: Expert Insights and Inspiring Stories on Gun Violence

Introduction:

Welcome back to Stop the Killing with your hosts, Katherine Schweit and Sarah Ferris. Season 5 is on the horizon, and we’re bringing you an impactful lineup of episodes focused on ending gun violence. In this pre-launch episode, we give you a sneak peek of what’s to come, featuring real stories from survivors, cutting-edge research, and powerful interviews with experts and advocates. If you're ready to dive deep into the complexities of gun violence prevention, this season is for you.

Epis...

RESISTANT PRINCIPALS, PERSISTENT PARENTS

S4 LISTENER QUESTION BONUS 11

In this week's exclusive bonus episode of Stop the Killing podcast, Katherine and Sarah answer a very relatable listener question addressing how to navigate conversations with resistant school principals when it comes to below-standard safety in your children's school. How can persistent parents deal with resistant principals? Find out on this exclusive Apple subscriber and Patreon episode. 

And if you are wanting AD FREE | EARLY ACCESS | BONUS CONTENT 

HIT THE BANNER ON APPLE PODCASTS TO SUBSCRIBE

OR SUPPORT US: Patreon.com/st...

Introduction:

In this special episode, while Katherine and I are working hard on Season 5 of Stop the Killing, we’re excited to share something impactful with you. Today, we’re bringing you a previously subscriber-only episode, but if you're already a subscriber on Patreon or Apple, there's also an exclusive bonus episode waiting for you today!

Additionally, we’re taking this chance to introduce you to one of our favorite interviews that you might have missed. I had a thoughtful conversation with Ben, the host of Crime Capsule, where we dive into the power of true c...

LET’S BE “FRANK”

PREVIOUSLY SEASON 4 BONUS 9 

Welcome to the bonus episode of Stop the Killing, exclusively for our Apple subscribers or Patreon.com/StopTheKilling members. In this episode, we bring you excerpts from our conversation with Frank DeAngelis, former principal of Columbine High School, that didn't make it to the full episode.

Frank talks about hardening targets and why he believes you can go too far. He shares his insights on how to balance safety measures with creating a welcoming and nurturing environment for students.

Join us for this insightful and tho...

This week's episode is an encore presentation from Season 3, Episode 3, covering the Parkland High School shooting. This is the first part of a three-part series, and you can listen to the subsequent episodes in Season 3, Episodes 4 and 5, where we hear from the parents of Parkland victims.

S3E3 MARJORY STONEMAN DOUGLAS, PARKLAND, FLORIDA

Today we're talking about something Katherine tries to never say - the worst. In this instance it is the worst high school shooting in America. 

On Valentine’s Day - 14th February 2018, a 19 year old former student of Marjory Stoneman Dou...

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY 911 CALL 

Episode Release Note: This episode was previously available only to our Patreon and Apple subscribers and was released last year. If you don’t want to miss all the bonus content, head to Patreon.com/stopthekilling or on Apple, simply hit the subscribe button now. If you’re on the fence, you can even do a free trial on Apple!

In this bonus episode of Stop the Killing, Sarah and Katherine discuss the Michigan State University shooting that occurred in February 2023, focusing on the 911 call made...

Episode Title: Non Politics, Politics

Episode Release Note: We are excited to share another episode that was previously exclusive to our Patreon and Apple subscribers from 2023. Please note that the names and details mentioned are over a year old. Join us as we explore the intricate relationship between politics and gun violence. Stay tuned every Thursday in between seasons for more exclusive episodes. If you haven’t yet, you can start a free trial on Apple to see what you're missing!

Introduction:

It’s a Numbers Game

Episode Release Note: This week, we're excited to share a special episode on the main feed that was previously exclusive to our subscribers from last year. But don't worry, we've got you covered with fresh content! Stay tuned every Thursday in between seasons for subscriber-exclusive episodes just for you. If you haven’t yet, you can start a free trial on Apple to see what you're missing!

Introduction:

Episode Title: Police Scanners: Transparency vs. Misinformation

Episode Release Note: This week, we're excited to share a special episode on the main feed that was previously exclusive to our Patreon subscribers from last year. But don't worry, we've got you covered with fresh content! Stay tuned every Thursday in between seasons for subscriber-exclusive episodes just for you on Patreon. If you haven’t yet, you can start a free trial on Apple to see what you're missing!

Introduction:

Miss, There’s a Gun in the Bathroom

Episode Release Note: This episode was previously available only to our Patreon and Apple subscribers and was released last year. If you don’t want to miss all the bonus content, head to Patreon.com/stopthekilling or on Apple, simply hit the subscribe button now. If you’re on the fence, you can even do a free trial on Apple!

Introduction:

Introducing "Watching Two Detectives": A Gripping New Podcast

A new podcast titled "Watching Two Detectives" is available now, hosted by retired New South Wales homicide detectives Scott Rogan and Peter Hogan and produced by Sarah Ferris Media. Initially conceived to explore old case files each episode, the podcast's direction shifted when they covered the murder of Michael Furlong. This case transformed the first episode into a full season titled "If Tomorrow Never Comes." The podcast embodies the emotional journey of the detectives and the victim's son, Luke, who had long awaited closure. Listeners can subscribe and gain...

RAISING THE BAR : STOPPING SCHOOL SHOOTINGS?

This episode was released to our subscribers on Patreon and Apple in September 23.

 In this episode of Stop the Killing, we answer a listener question from Crime Con UK: Would raising the licensing age to 25 prevent school shootings, particularly those committed by younger individuals? We explore the research and discuss the potential impact of such a policy.

And if you are wanting AD FREE | EARLY ACCESS | BONUS CONTENT 

HIT THE BANNER ON APPLE PODCASTS TO SUBSCRIBE

OR SUPPORT US: Patreon.co...

Encore: Interview with Frank DeAngelis, Former Principal of Columbine High School

Introduction: Welcome back to "Stop the Killing"! While we're on a break preparing for season five, we're excited to bring you an encore episode from season two. This episode features an impactful interview with Frank DeAngelis, the former principal of Columbine High School, as he shares his experiences and insights from the tragic 1999 shooting and his journey in the aftermath.

Summary: In this encore presentation, Sarah Ferris and Katherine Schweit speak with Frank DeAngelis, who has been a pivotal figure in advocating for school...

AI and the Second Amendment: Uncharted Territory

This bonus episode revisits past episodes and addresses questions from CrimeCon attendees. Hosts Sarah Ferris and Katherine Schweit delve into the complex topic of AI's potential impact on the Second Amendment. The discussion touches on the evolution of AI, the interpretation of the Second Amendment, and the broader implications for society and individual rights. They also highlight the challenges AI could pose in warfare and personal gun rights. The episode concludes with a reminder to support their podcast through Patreon for additional content.

*Originally released...

From Archives to Fresh Content

S4B38 

Introduction:

Welcome to another episode of "Stop the Killing," hosted by Sarah Ferris. As we take a brief hiatus to work on season five, we’re bringing you some of our most impactful episodes and exciting updates. Join us as we dive into the archives and share exclusive content, along with introducing a gripping new podcast series, "Watching Two Detectives."

Summary of Key Topics:

In this episode, Sarah Ferris updates listeners on the progress of "Stop the Killing" as they prepare for sea...

As we take a break and work on Season 5 we wanted to share with our listeners a few of the subscriber episodes that we have put out in the past and let you know that in between season's there will always be a new episode out on the Patreon and Apple channels if you want to get the "Inside baseball". Links are below.

Supreme Court Upholds Domestic Violence Gun Ban

Introduction: In this exclusive episode for our Apple and Patreon subscribers, host Katherine Schweit provides a special update on the recent U...

Celebrating Wins and Reflecting on Lessons

S4E60

Welcome to the Season 4 finale of "Stop the Killing" podcast, hosted by Sarah Ferris and Katherine Schweit. In this special episode, we reflect on the invaluable lessons learned, and discuss the impact of our work. Join us as we highlight powerful stories, share insights from expert guests, and look forward to the future.

Summary of Key Topics Covered: