Too Young to Kill: A Harrowing True Crime Story by William Phelps

In the annals of true crime, the case of Kipland "Kip" Kinkel stands out as a chilling reminder of the darkness that can lurk within even the most ordinary of teenagers. On May 21, 1998, Kip, a seemingly well-adjusted 14-year-old boy, walked into Thurston High School in Springfield, Oregon, and opened fire on his classmates, killing two and injuring 25 others. What drove this seemingly ordinary boy to commit such a heinous act? And how could such a tragedy have been prevented?

In Too Young to Kill, veteran journalist William Phelps delves into the complex events leading up to and following the Thurston High School shooting. Through meticulous research and exclusive interviews with Kip's family, friends, teachers, and law enforcement officials, Phelps paints a vivid and haunting portrait of a troubled young man who was pushed to the brink.

Phelps explores Kip's early childhood, marked by emotional neglect and instability. He examines the role of bullying, parental pressure, and access to guns in shaping Kip's troubled psyche. And he delves into the failures of the mental health system and the juvenile justice system that could have prevented this tragedy.

Too Young to Kill is a gripping and thought-provoking true crime story that will stay with you long after you finish reading it. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the complexities of juvenile delinquency, the justice system, and the darkness that can lurk within us all.