Introduction
The Columbine High School massacre of 1999 is often remembered for the T-shirts worn by the shooters, which featured phrases like 'Natural Selection' and 'Wrath'. Since then, these apparel items have become a part of a broader trend of niche allusions to deadly attacks. According to a report from the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD), statement shirts associated with such horrific acts are widely available from at least half a dozen internet retailers. ### The True Crime Community
The True Crime Community (TCC) is a predominantly online fandom that is rooted in an obsession with mass killers, regardless of the mass killer’s motivation. The TCC’s fascination with the lore around specific killers can lead to dissection of details as minor as what they had for breakfast on the morning of their attack. ### Nihilistic Fashion
The TCC promotes statement shirts as a convenient way to covertly endorse massacres. These shirts are used to signal interest and glorification of the violence, and also can serve as a sign of someone's plans to engage in an attack. The ISD’s report cites the cases of a 13-year-old arrested in South Africa and an 18-year-old accused of fatally shooting two people in a California library. ### Retailer Responses
While some retailers have removed listings for 'Wrath' and 'Natural Selection' shirts, others have not. TikTok US and Redbubble have both stated that they prohibit content that glorifies or trivializes violence. ### Warning Signs
The ISD’s analysis of the sale of shirts connected to past shootings is part of a planned series by the nonprofit covering various warning signs of future attacks. The prevalence of the clothing across an array of online shops is an indication of how the TCC’s extremist messaging flies under the radar. ### Conclusion
The trend of selling apparel associated with mass shooters is a growing phenomenon in nihilistic fashion. As the True Crime Community continues to promote such items, it is important for parents, teachers, and law enforcement to be aware of the warning signs and to understand the potential risks posed by this community.
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