Stop the Killing

Sarah Ferris Media

Exploring the Darkest Corners of Violence Prevention and Survival: Join Katherine Schweit, former head of the FBI's Active Shooter Program, and award-winning true-crime producer Sarah Ferris in Stop the Killing, the true-crime podcast that doesn’t just document tragedy but empowers listeners with the tools to prevent it. This series masterfully blends deep dives into infamous mass shootings, high-stakes FBI cases, and real-world survivor stories with expert analysis and practical safety strategies. Schweit—who led the first government study on mass shootings after Sandy Hook—delivers powerful insights, while Ferris transforms each episode into a gripping, unforgettable journey.Together, they equip listeners to recognize warning signs, understand preventative strategies, and become "upstanders" in the face of violence. In Season 5, meet heroes, advocates, and experts whose stories demand action—from Parkland parents who turned grief into advocacy, to Chris Hansen of To Catch a Predator - each story a call to action in America's ongoing fight against gun violence. Stop the Killing isn’t just a podcast; it’s an indispensable guide to saving lives. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  1. 8h ago ·  Bonus

    S7B2 Bend Oregon School Shooting: Helping Children After Tragedy | Part 2

    What happens after a school shooting, when the headlines fade but the trauma remains?Following the devastating shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, former FBI agent Katherine Schweit examines what happens next — from the ongoing police investigation to the emotional impact on children, families and the wider community. Drawing on her 20 years with the FBI, Katherine explains how victim assistance programmes, schools and local organisations support communities after mass violence, and shares practical advice for parents helping children navigate grief and trauma. In this episode: Why the Bend school shooting investigation continues after the shooter's death.How the FBI and Bend-La Pine Schools are supporting victims and families.How to talk to children about school shootings, grief and loss.Why childhood trauma and recovery don't follow a timetable.What communities can learn from Sandy Hook, Columbine and Virginia Tech.Why some families may be afraid to access support.A powerful reminder that the response to a school shooting doesn't end when the headlines disappear. 🎧 GET MORE STOP THE KILLINGSubscribe for early access, ad-free episodes and exclusive bonus content. 🎙️ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/stopthekilling 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stop-the-killing/id1585146489 Follow STOP THE KILLING: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stopthekillingstories/ Katherine Schweit: https://www.katherineschweit.com RESOURCESBend-La Pine Schools: https://www.blschools.org National Child Traumatic Stress Network: https://www.nctsn.org 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (US): Call or text 988. MORE FROM SARAH FERRIS MEDIAOur other podcasts: https://sarahferrismedia.com/shows CONmunity • Watching Two Detectives • Klooghless: The Long Con • The Bravery Academy • Guilty Greenie CONmunity Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conmunitypodcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sarahferrismedia Website: https://www.sarahferrismedia.com Content advisory: Discussion of a school shooting, child victims, grief and trauma. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    S7B2 Bend Oregon School Shooting: Helping Children After Tragedy | Part 2

  2. 5d ago ·  Bonus · Subscribers Only

    S7B3 REVISITED: Who's Left Out When Disaster Strikes? | School Safety After Bend

    *An important conversation for parents and teachers of children with special needs.** ### Why we're revisiting this episode In light of the heartbreaking school shooting in Bend, Oregon, where a special education classroom was attacked, we felt it was important to bring this episode from May 2024 back to the main STOP THE KILLING feed. When we talk about school shootings, lockdowns and emergency preparedness, are we doing enough to consider children with additional needs? What happens when a child cannot follow standard lockdown instructions, evacuate independently, or respond to an emergency in the same way as their classmates? These are questions every school should be asking. For parents of children with additional needs, special education teachers, school administrators and those responsible for school safety, this episode offers invaluable insight into an area of emergency planning that is too often overlooked. Our hearts are with the families, teachers and entire Bend community. We hope revisiting this conversation helps more people think about what truly inclusive school safety looks like. ### Original Episode: Who's Left Out When Disaster Strikes? — School Safety Blind Spots (S4E54) **Featuring Stefan Bjes** In this episode, Sarah Ferris and Katherine Schweit are joined by Stefan Bjes, a seasoned law enforcement and campus safety professional whose work focuses on the unique challenges faced by students with special needs during emergencies. Drawing on his professional experience and personal motivation for advocating for children with additional needs, Stefan shares valuable insights into how schools, law enforcement and families can work together to create more inclusive emergency preparedness plans. We explore why traditional school safety drills may not work for every student, the importance of understanding individual communication and behavioural needs, and why children with disabilities must be considered from the very beginning of school safety planning — not as an afterthought. It's a conversation about recognising the gaps, asking better questions and making sure no child is left out when disaster strikes. **If you are a parent, teacher, school resource officer or school safety professional, please listen and share this episode with anyone who could benefit.** ### Stefan Bjes — Resources and Further Reading Stefan has shared valuable resources on autism awareness, law enforcement interactions and inclusive school emergency preparedness. - **School Safety Drills for Students with Special Needs** — Campus Safety Magazine https://www.campussafetymagazine.com/news/school-safety-drills-for-students-with-special-needs/ - **Interacting with Autism: A School Resource Officer Approach** — Campus Safety Magazine https://www.campussafetymagazine.com/news/interacting-with-autism-a-school-resource-officer-approach/ - **Wandering and Autism: What Cops Need to Know** — Calibre Press https://www.calibrepress.com/2020/04/what-cops-need-to-know-about-autism-wandering/ - **What Cops Need to Know About Autism** — Calibre Press https://www.calibrepress.com/2019/08/copsandautism/ - **For Officer, Missing Kids with Autism Hits Home** — National Center for Missing & Exploited Children https://www.missingkids.org/blog/2020/for-officer-missing-kids-with-autism-hits-home **Stefan Bjes — Blue Line Spectrum Safety** http://www.bluelinespectrumsafety.com **About Stefan Bjes — Blue Light Consultants** https://www.blue-light-consultants.com/about-us/stefan-bjes-bio ### Support STOP THE KILLING Want early access to episodes, ad-free listening and additional bonus content? **Patreon:** https://www.patreon.com/stopthekilling

  3. Oct 27 ·  Bonus

    S7B1 BEND SCHOOL SHOOTING: A Survivor Speaks | Katherine Schweit

    A survivor's firsthand account. New details about what happened inside the school. And the questions investigators still need to answer.On 15 October 2026, a 16-year-old gunman entered Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, killing three children, aged five, eight and eleven, and 25-year-old teacher Megan Lambert. Another child and educational assistant Becky Drury were injured. In this special STOP THE KILLING bonus episode, former FBI agent and founder of the FBI's Active Shooter Program Katherine Schweit examines the latest developments in the investigation. At the heart of the episode is a powerful statement from Becky Drury, who survived serious gunshot injuries and has spoken publicly to correct inaccurate reporting about her actions during the attack. Katherine shares Becky's account and walks listeners through the emerging timeline, including the actions of a passing motorist, a teacher who confronted the attacker and an armed parent who ultimately stopped the shooter. In this episode: What Becky Drury says happened inside the classroom.Why accurate reporting matters for victims and survivors.The timeline of the shooting and the actions of those who intervened.How the firearm used may have influenced the events.The unanswered questions about school security, firearm access and prevention.Why Katherine believes we need to focus on solutions, not just the tragedy itself.This is the beginning of a series of conversations Katherine hopes to share about the Bend shooting, the investigation and what communities can learn about preventing targeted violence. Support STOP THE KILLING on Patreon Our paid Patreon members received early access to this bonus episode. Join our community to support independent, expert-led discussions about violence prevention and receive early access to selected bonus content. https://www.patreon.com/stopthekilling Content warning: Discussion of a school shooting involving children, including descriptions of serious injuries. Information discussed reflects reporting and statements available at the time of recording. Investigative findings may change as further details emerge. STOP THE KILLING — Understanding violence. Preventing tragedy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    S7B1 BEND SCHOOL SHOOTING: A Survivor Speaks | Katherine Schweit

  4. Trailer

    SPECIAL TRAILER: The 10-Year-Old Girl Who Deserves to Be Heard | WATCHING TWO DETECTIVES: BIDDY

    How can a 10-year-old girl be murdered, and then have her family spend years fighting to have her name and story heard? Her name was Bridgette “Biddy” Porter. She was creative, funny, kind and full of life. She loved writing poetry, making videos and dreaming about her future. On 8 July 2020, Biddy was murdered in New South Wales, Australia. But what followed raised deeply troubling questions about the justice system, victims' rights and the legal restrictions that left her family believing they couldn't publicly share her name, her face or her story. Now, her family is determined that Biddy will never be forgotten. We're sharing this special trailer from WATCHING TWO DETECTIVES — SEASON 6: BIDDY, a new seven-part investigative series from Sarah Ferris Media. Former NSW homicide detectives Peter Hogan and Scott Rogan sit down with Biddy's parents, loved ones, advocates and those who helped bring her story into the public eye. This is not simply a story about a child's murder. It's about the life she lived, the people who loved her and one family's extraordinary fight to ensure that other victims and their families have a voice. 🎧 WANT TO HEAR THE FULL SERIES? This is a special trailer only. The full series will be released exclusively through the WATCHING TWO DETECTIVES podcast feed — not this podcast. ⭐ 2 NOVEMBER 2026: All 7 episodes available early and ad-free for Patreon and Apple Podcasts subscribers. 🎧 9 NOVEMBER 2026: Episode 1 available free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever you listen, with new episodes weekly. Search for WATCHING TWO DETECTIVES and hit FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE now so you don't miss the series. ❤️ For early access and to support independent, victim-focused storytelling: https://patreon.com/wtdpodcast ❤️ Follow the family's Justice for Biddy campaign on Facebook: @justice4biddyporter Her name is Bridgette Porter. Her family calls her Biddy. And everybody deserves to know her story. Watching Two Detectives — Media with Purpose. A Sarah Ferris Media production. Content advisory: This series discusses the murder of a child, grief, trauma and the criminal justice system. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    SPECIAL TRAILER: The 10-Year-Old Girl Who Deserves to Be Heard | WATCHING TWO DETECTIVES: BIDDY

  5. Jul 30

    S6E20 She Goes by Jane: Giving Missing and Unidentified Women Their Names Back

    What happens when a person disappears—and the world slowly stops looking? In this episode of Stop the Killing, Katherine Schweit is joined by Aimee Baker and Vanessa Ciccarelli, hosts of the podcast She Goes by Jane, which centres the lives and stories of missing and unidentified women. Aimee explains how her work began after she learned about an unidentified teenage girl found beside Interstate 10 outside Phoenix. Unable to comprehend how someone so young could remain nameless, she began researching missing-person cases and transforming that grief into poetry. Those poems eventually became her collection, Doe. After reading the book, filmmaker and photographer Vanessa approached Aimee about creating a documentary. The result was She, narrated by Kate Mulgrew and featuring poetry read by Coco Jones and Raven Goodwin. Their work then grew into the podcast She Goes by Jane, allowing them to investigate more cases and spend meaningful time exploring who these women were—not simply what happened to them. Katherine, Aimee and Vanessa discuss the staggering scale of the missing and unidentified persons crisis, why some cases receive far more attention than others, and how race, gender, sexuality, poverty and public perception can influence who is considered worthy of media coverage. They also explore the importance of placing victims—not offenders—at the centre of true-crime storytelling. Aimee shares a powerful exercise she uses with college students: asking them to list the names of every serial killer they can remember, followed by the names of their victims. The difference is immediate and uncomfortable. This conversation is ultimately about restoring humanity. Behind every statistic is a person with relationships, memories, dreams and people who may still be searching for them. How one unidentified teenager inspired Aimee’s poetry collection Doe The making of the documentary She Why Aimee and Vanessa created the She Goes by Jane podcast How quickly someone can disappear from their everyday life The overwhelming number of missing and unidentified people Why certain cases receive widespread coverage while others are ignored The effect of race, gender, sexuality and social status on media attention Remembering victims’ names rather than glorifying perpetrators The responsibility of true-crime creators to preserve victims’ humanity How individual stories reveal the scale of a much larger crisis Listen to She Goes by Jane on all major podcast platforms. To find the documentary She, search for Aimee Baker and the film title on Apple, Amazon and other streaming platforms. Doe by Aimee Baker Women Who Talk to the Dead by Katherine Schweit For bonus episodes, early access and additional content, join us on Patreon: Patreon.com/StopTheKilling Subscribe to Stop the Killing wherever you listen to podcasts, and please consider rating and reviewing the show—it helps more listeners discover these important conversations. WANT THE VIDEOS HEAD TO YOUTUBE @sarahferrismedia  And if you are wanting AD FREE | EARLY ACCESS | BONUS CONTENT  HIT THE BANNER ON APPLE PODCASTS TO SUBSCRIBE OR SUPPORT US: Patreon.com/stopthekilling  Message us on instagram :  @conmunitypodcast @stopthekillingstories And for all things Katherine Schweit: www.katherineschweit.com RESOURCES Stop the Bleed training FBI  RUN, HIDE, FIGHT This is a CONmunity Podcast Production on the Killer Podcasts Network Check out more: CONMUNITY PODCAST  KLOOGHLESS - THE LONG CON GUILTY GREENIE THE BRAVERY ACADEMY Watching Two Detectives  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  6. Jul 23

    S6E19 IF TOMORROW NEVER COMES |Part Two WATCHING TWO DETECTIVES

    Following the recent crossover between Stop the Killing and Watching Two Detectives, we’re sharing the opening episode of Watching Two Detectives’ award-winning first season. If Tomorrow Never Comes tells the story of the random murder of 45-year-old Michael Furlong in Smithfield, New South Wales, on June 3, 2002. Unlike Stop the Killing’s interview-led format, Watching Two Detectives builds an entire season around one case, allowing the detectives who investigated it and the family who lived through it to tell the story in their own words. In this first episode, retired New South Wales detectives Peter Hogan and Scott Rogan are joined by retired Detective Inspector Clive Ainley, who led the original murder investigation. Michael’s former wife and best friend, Colleen, and his son, Luke, introduce us to the man behind the case: a happy, endlessly sociable father, passionate Beatles fan, practical joker and natural inventor. On the final day of his life, Michael visited an electronics store looking for parts for a device he hoped could prevent drivers from falling asleep at the wheel. He was there because he wanted to save lives. Instead, a completely ordinary afternoon became the beginning of one of the most callous and unusual murder investigations the detectives had encountered. Michael and his brother were approached by a stranger who claimed to have damaged their car. Within moments, Michael had been fatally attacked and his brother was running for his life. The detectives arrived to find a devastating crime scene, an eyewitness in shock and almost no obvious connection between Michael and the unknown attacker. Somewhere beyond the police tape, a killer had disappeared into Sydney. This episode explores the first hours of the investigation, the crushing task of telling Michael’s young sons that their father had been murdered and the last gift Michael gave Colleen: a CD containing the song If Tomorrow Never Comes. This is the opening chapter of a five-part true-crime investigation told through the detectives who worked the case and the family who have carried its consequences ever since. Listen to and follow Watching Two Detectives on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/watching-two-detectives/id1740792484 The remaining episodes of If Tomorrow Never Comes are waiting for you there, along with five complete seasons of victim-focused true crime, real police investigations and stories told by the people who lived them. This episode contains descriptions of murder, violence and traumatic bereavement. Listener discretion is advised. WANT THE VIDEOS HEAD TO YOUTUBE @sarahferrismedia  And if you are wanting AD FREE | EARLY ACCESS | BONUS CONTENT  HIT THE BANNER ON APPLE PODCASTS TO SUBSCRIBE OR SUPPORT US: Patreon.com/stopthekilling  Message us on instagram :  @conmunitypodcast @stopthekillingstories And for all things Katherine Schweit including where you can purchase her book STOP THE KILLING: How to end the mass shooting crisis head to: www.katherineschweit.com RESOURCES Stop the Bleed training FBI  RUN, HIDE, FIGHT This is a CONmunity Podcast Production on the Killer Podcasts Network Check out more: CONNING THE CON KLOOGHLESS - THE LONG CON GUILTY GREENIE THE BRAVERY ACADEMY Klooghless: The Long Con  Watching Two Detectives  Continue the full season Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  7. Jul 16

    S6E18 IF TOMORROW NEVER COMES |Part One WATCHING TWO DETECTIVES

    Following the recent crossover between Stop the Killing and Watching Two Detectives, we’re sharing the opening episode of Watching Two Detectives’ award-winning first season. If Tomorrow Never Comes tells the story of the random murder of 45-year-old Michael Furlong in Smithfield, New South Wales, on June 3, 2002. Unlike Stop the Killing’s interview-led format, Watching Two Detectives builds an entire season around one case, allowing the detectives who investigated it and the family who lived through it to tell the story in their own words. In this first episode, retired New South Wales detectives Peter Hogan and Scott Rogan are joined by retired Detective Inspector Clive Ainsley, who led the original murder investigation. Michael’s former wife and best friend, Colleen, and his son, Luke, introduce us to the man behind the case: a happy, endlessly sociable father, passionate Beatles fan, practical joker and natural inventor. On the final day of his life, Michael visited an electronics store looking for parts for a device he hoped could prevent drivers from falling asleep at the wheel. He was there because he wanted to save lives. Instead, a completely ordinary afternoon became the beginning of one of the most callous and unusual murder investigations the detectives had encountered. Michael and his brother were approached by a stranger who claimed to have damaged their car. Within moments, Michael had been fatally attacked and his brother was running for his life. The detectives arrived to find a devastating crime scene, an eyewitness in shock and almost no obvious connection between Michael and the unknown attacker. Somewhere beyond the police tape, a killer had disappeared into Sydney. This episode explores the first hours of the investigation, the crushing task of telling Michael’s young sons that their father had been murdered and the last gift Michael gave Colleen: a CD containing the song If Tomorrow Never Comes. This is the opening chapter of a five-part true-crime investigation told through the detectives who worked the case and the family who have carried its consequences ever since. Listen to and follow Watching Two Detectives on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/watching-two-detectives/id1740792484 The remaining episodes of If Tomorrow Never Comes are waiting for you there, along with five complete seasons of victim-focused true crime, real police investigations and stories told by the people who lived them. This episode contains descriptions of murder, violence and traumatic bereavement. Listener discretion is advised. WANT THE VIDEOS HEAD TO YOUTUBE @sarahferrismedia  And if you are wanting AD FREE | EARLY ACCESS | BONUS CONTENT  HIT THE BANNER ON APPLE PODCASTS TO SUBSCRIBE OR SUPPORT US: Patreon.com/stopthekilling  Message us on instagram :  @conmunitypodcast @stopthekillingstories And for all things Katherine Schweit including where you can purchase her book STOP THE KILLING: How to end the mass shooting crisis head to: www.katherineschweit.com RESOURCES Stop the Bleed training FBI  RUN, HIDE, FIGHT This is a CONmunity Podcast Production on the Killer Podcasts Network Check out more: CONNING THE CON KLOOGHLESS - THE LONG CON GUILTY GREENIE THE BRAVERY ACADEMY Klooghless: The Long Con  Watching Two Detectives Continue the full season Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  8. Jul 2

    S6E16 Bondi Beach Terror Attack: Police Response, Active Shooter Tactics & the Hero Detective | Part 4

    In Part Four of this special crossover between Stop the Killing and Watching Two Detectives, former head of the FBI’s Active Shooter Program Katherine Schweit continues her conversation with retired New South Wales detectives Scott Rogan and Peter Hogan. Together, they examine the police response to the Bondi Beach terror attack, the speed at which a mass shooting can unfold, and the impossible decisions officers must make in the first few minutes of an active-shooter incident. The conversation explores the difference between directed terrorism, inspired terrorism and independently motivated attackers, as well as the danger of extremist propaganda and livestreamed violence inspiring future attacks. Scott and Peter also address the misinformation that spread online in the immediate aftermath of Bondi. Images of wounded officers taking cover were used to accuse them of cowardice, while a photograph of a female officer directing civilians away from danger was falsely framed as surrender. Katherine explains why social-media snapshots cannot show what an officer was seeing, what intelligence they had or what tactical decisions they were being forced to make. The episode then turns to the extraordinary actions of Detective Senior Constable Cesar Barraza, the plain-clothes detective who confronted attackers armed with long guns from approximately 40 to 45 metres away. Katherine, Scott and Peter break down the difficulty of making accurate handgun shots over that distance, under extreme pressure, with civilians and fellow officers still in danger. This is not Hollywood. Real officers have limited ammunition. Real decisions are made in seconds. And real lives were saved. This episode is Part Four of a five-part Stop the Killing x Watching Two Detectives crossover examining the Bondi Beach mass shooting, the police response, the human cost and the lessons that may help prevent future violence. This is not about politics. It is about facts, response and prevention. Follow both Stop the Killing and Watching Two Detectives so you do not miss the final episode in the series. WANT THE VIDEOS HEAD TO YOUTUBE @sarahferrismedia  And if you are wanting AD FREE | EARLY ACCESS | BONUS CONTENT  HIT THE BANNER ON APPLE PODCASTS TO SUBSCRIBE OR SUPPORT US: Patreon.com/stopthekilling  Message us on instagram :  @conmunitypodcast @stopthekillingstories And for all things Katherine Schweit including where you can purchase her book STOP THE KILLING: How to end the mass shooting crisis head to: www.katherineschweit.com RESOURCES Stop the Bleed training FBI  RUN, HIDE, FIGHT This is a CONmunity Podcast Production on the Killer Podcasts Network Check out more: CONNING THE CON KLOOGHLESS - THE LONG CON GUILTY GREENIE THE BRAVERY ACADEMY Klooghless: The Long Con  Watching Two Detectives  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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About

Exploring the Darkest Corners of Violence Prevention and Survival: Join Katherine Schweit, former head of the FBI's Active Shooter Program, and award-winning true-crime producer Sarah Ferris in Stop the Killing, the true-crime podcast that doesn’t just document tragedy but empowers listeners with the tools to prevent it. This series masterfully blends deep dives into infamous mass shootings, high-stakes FBI cases, and real-world survivor stories with expert analysis and practical safety strategies. Schweit—who led the first government study on mass shootings after Sandy Hook—delivers powerful insights, while Ferris transforms each episode into a gripping, unforgettable journey.Together, they equip listeners to recognize warning signs, understand preventative strategies, and become "upstanders" in the face of violence. In Season 5, meet heroes, advocates, and experts whose stories demand action—from Parkland parents who turned grief into advocacy, to Chris Hansen of To Catch a Predator - each story a call to action in America's ongoing fight against gun violence. Stop the Killing isn’t just a podcast; it’s an indispensable guide to saving lives. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Sarah Ferris Media
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    393
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 509981
  • Show Website
    Stop the Killing
  • Provider
    Sarah Marie Ferris

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