I was with you up until the Charles Manson reference. Most criminals are just that, but Charles Manson was not a natural phenomenon, he was created.
We sent Charles to prison at a very early age (13 I think). He was beaten, molested, and worse by the society that was supposed to “protect” him. His early childhood include episodes like being sold by his mother for a “pitcher of beer”. His moral view was developed by the worst that we as a society have to offer. He was more intelligent and charismatic than most, and his bent view of the world led him develop a group of like minded marginally attached followers.
Although his individual behavior was not predictable, the fact that we have thousands of like children in the same circumstances does predict that Helter Skelter was not the last insane act grown in our own prisons.
I see dozens of “bangers” every month that have committed like or worse crimes, just not to as famous a set of victims. Just a few miles south of Tucson in Nogales Sonora, the narco terrorists are now skinning their victims before be-heading them. Many developed their skills in our prison system. MS13, Los ZETAs are all a result of American decisions. Our prisons are just finishing schools for the criminally insane.
The shooting in Tucson was tragic, but not isolated. We are a violent society in a violent world. And we can hide it reasonably well until a “National Personality” is the victim.