AS the public rushes to blame bullying, heartbreak, and social media for the brutal killing of a teenage school girl recently, a criminologist caution that youth violence rarely stems from a single trigger.
Criminologist cum academic Dr Geshina Ayu Mat Saat said the tragic incident that happened in the middle of a classroom learning session is the product of layered emotional, social, and psychological fractures that often go unnoticed until it’s too late.
“Being a victim of bullying is not, by itself, a predictor that someone will retaliate with violence. Only a small number of bullying victims ever fight back. Most remain silent, make reports, or distance themselves from their bullies. Some respond through passive-aggressive means rather than overt aggression.”
“Although previous studies confirm the existence of “crimes of passion,” where strong emotions such as anger or jealousy drive someone to commit violent acts, not everyone who experiences rejection reacts in this way.
“There are usually other contributing elements at play — including the person’s mental state and sanity, a predisposition toward criminal behaviour, exposure to environments that normalize violence, and learned behaviour from observing violent role models.”
“So, we must look beyond “rejected love” or “victim retaliation” as the sole explanations for what happened in this case,” said the University Science Malaysia (USM) academic.
On Tuesday a 16-year-old female student at a school in Bandar Utama was stabbed to death by a 14-year-old male student - the incident shocked both the school community and the nation.
The male suspect, allegedly followed the victim into the girls’ toilet before stabbing her multiple times. She died at the scene from her injuries.
Petaling Jaya District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Shamsudin Mamat, confirmed that the case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder. The suspect has been remanded for seven days to assist with the investigation.
Selangor Police Chief, Datuk Shazeli Kahar, said the suspect was driven by emotional turmoil and online influences.
Shazeli added that the suspect appeared emotionally stable prior to the incident and had shown no changes in behaviour.
"Before the incident, the suspect was behaving normally and did not show any warning signs," he said.
Investigators believe the suspect acted alone and that there was no previous interaction or relationship between the victim and the accused.
Dr Geshina was then asked if the stabbing was triggered by emotions and social media influence as suggested by many.
Although she said that it may be a possibility, it is too early to be certain saying that a comprehensive psychosocial and criminogenic assessment must be done.
“A study that considers the suspect’s Affect (A), Beliefs and Behavior (B), Cognition (C), Desire (D), Emotion (E), and Fantasy (F). Evaluating “emotion” alone is not enough. Emotions vary in intensity and can blend — such as anger mixed with hatred, or fear mixed with sadness.”
“The idea that “social media made someone violent” is also overly simplistic.
“While social media does play a role in shaping youth behaviour, the evidence so far is not strong enough to prove direct causation. What we know from research is that social environments, family interactions, peer relationships, and the type of content consumed online exert far greater influence than the platforms themselves.”
“Social media is essentially neutral — a tool for connection. It’s the people who give meaning to the interactions happening there,” she explained.
In addition to the knife used in the attack, police seized two other sharp objects—a smaller knife and a kerambit, a curved blade often associated with traditional martial arts.
The weapons were reportedly purchased online and had been in the suspect’s possession for some time.
"The suspect had bought the knife and kerambit online. The knife was the weapon used in the incident," said Shazeli.
The post-mortem was completed at the University of Malaya Medical Centre (PPUM) by 10.30pm on the day of the attack. The victim’s body was claimed by her family the following morning.
Geshina a well quoted academic in the field of criminology and psychology advised the public to give more support for teenagers to undergo early mental health screening.
She stressed that it is also important to strengthen family bonds and parenting skills including open communication, consistent discipline, and emotional support.
“Many young offenders suffer from untreated trauma, depression, or impulse control problems. Schools and clinics should conduct regular mental health checks, especially for at-risk youth. Parents should seek professional help early when behavioral changes appear.”
“Stable, loving family relationships significantly reduce the risk of violent behavior. Parenting programs that teach conflict resolution and emotional regulation are highly recommended.” - October 16, 2025
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