Explanation
Spree killing is a form of multiple homicide that occurs when an individual (or group) kills several people at two or more locations, typically in rapid succession. Unlike serial killings, there are no cooling-off periods between the attacks. The time span may range from a few hours to several days, but the killings are generally part of a single emotional outburst or event.
Spree killers may act out of rage, revenge, or desperation, and their actions are often impulsive and chaotic. Law enforcement and media often struggle to categorize such crimes, as they overlap with both mass murder and serial murder.
Theoretical Reference
Discussed in the context of situational crime theories, strain theory, desperation violence, and deviant career paths.