What is the True Crime Community? A Look at the Dark Online Subculture Linked to Recent School Violence Cases

A security analyst has suggested that recent violent incidents in schools may be linked to teenagers' growing involvement in the True Crime Community (TCC) subculture.

Referring to several recent cases of school violence in Malaysia, including the incident in Kuching, the stabbing in Banting in July, and the Bandar Utama case last year, security analyst Munira Mustaffa said the TCC subculture has emerged as a new threat that requires serious attention from authorities.

“Exposure to this subculture risks pushing teenagers towards the ideology of Misanthropic, Nihilistic and Violent Extremism (M/NVE), an ideology that fosters deep hatred towards humanity and society as a whole,” she said, as reported by BERNAMA.

True Crime Community vs true crime enthusiasts

The True Crime Community (TCC) should not be confused with ordinary true crime enthusiasts.

Image Credit: ADL

The TCC is an internet subculture centred on the admiration and glorification of violent criminals and mass killers, often treating them as objects of intense fandom. In contrast, true crime enthusiasts typically engage with content that explores criminal psychology, the justice system and victim advocacy.

According to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), the TCC is built around the admiration, veneration and, in more extreme cases, emulation of violent criminals, particularly mass shooters such as Adam Lanza, who carried out the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012. However, no event has had a greater influence on the TCC than the Columbine High School massacre.

One particularly troubling aspect of this subculture is that much of its following consists of minors and young adults, who are especially vulnerable to online exposure to graphic violence and extremist content. When combined with personal challenges at school or home, exposure to this subculture may influence some youths and, in extreme cases, contribute to violent behaviour.

When did this subculture first emerge?

Image Credit: SCMP

While there is no exact date marking the emergence of this subculture, it is widely believed that the TCC evolved from an online fandom known as the "Columbiners", which emerged in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The fandom developed on early internet forums following the Columbine High School massacre in 1999.

In the United States, two school shooting incidents recently brought renewed attention to the TCC subculture.

In 2024, a teenager named Natalie "Samantha" Rupnow killed two people and injured six others at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison before taking her own life.

Another case occurred in January 2025, when Solomon Henderson killed one person and wounded another at Antioch High School in Nashville. Like Rupnow, Henderson also died by suicide after the attack.

Both attackers were reportedly involved with the TCC before carrying out their attacks and had shared manifestos expressing a deep fascination with violence, mass shooters and various forms of extremism.

It is understood that, since these two incidents, there have been at least 20 other acts of violence allegedly linked to the TCC.

Why are teenagers particularly vulnerable?

Several factors may contribute to teenagers' vulnerability, including mental health challenges, unsupervised internet access, and limited family or social support.

Research has found that individuals linked to mass-casualty attacks and the TCC often exhibit signs of depression, self-harm, eating disorders, obsessive thoughts, substance abuse, social anxiety and suicidal ideation. In some cases, perpetrators view suicide or self-inflicted injury as part of the attack itself, with their manifestos serving as both ideological statements and suicide notes.

Another reason adolescents may be drawn to this online subculture is their desire for a sense of belonging, particularly when they feel isolated or alienated in their everyday lives.

How dangerous is this subculture and how can it be prevented?

According to Munira, threats associated with this subculture can be difficult to identify because they often begin with personal grievances that gradually develop into broader hostility towards society.

“They usually meticulously plan their targets, timing and locations. Schools are often seen as easy targets, and perpetrators may write manifestos or livestream their crimes to gain attention from others within the subculture.”

Munira added that methods of attack are often inspired by previous incidents, which perpetrators study closely to improve effectiveness and, in some cases, pay tribute to earlier attackers.

To address the threat, she emphasised the importance of early intervention through close cooperation among schools, parents, authorities and students.

“At the same time, teachers and parents need to be vigilant in recognising behavioural changes and warning signs, including monitoring their children's online interactions and social circles.”

Featured Image Credit: Reddit, PBS News, Unsplash