Jamie did it due to a complex interplay of factors including inherited impulsivity, unresolved emotional wounds, low self-worth, bullying at school, social isolation, and exposure to online incel ideology. He struggled with feelings of shame and rejection, particularly from his father and peers. His father’s anger and emotional avoidance, coupled with Jamie’s lack of strong social connections and dismissal of his true interests, deepened his sense of worthlessness. Online, Jamie found communities that fueled toxic beliefs about masculinity and power, which reinforced his resentment and distorted sense of justice. The rejection by the victim, including a public label of him as an incel, triggered his violent response as he viewed it as a confirmation of his perceived victimization and loss of status as a man. Jamie’s eventual guilty plea reflects his recognition of the gravity of his actions and their consequences.
