Jason Clark Battle

Deputy Jason Clark Battle was a serial killer (and later a stalker) who appeared in Season Three of Criminal Minds.

Background
What is revealed about Battle's past is that he did military service from 1992 to 1996, took a job in law enforcement on December 29, 1997, and has a BA in Administration of Justice. In July 2002, he earned a Meritorious Award for Bravery in the Line of Duty, and in October 2005, he earned an Award of Valor. He had enough legal knowledge to use legal terms, but he apparently dropped out of law school or didn't qualify for a higher education. Prior to Lucky, he found work as a Deputy Sheriff, not having been able to be further promoted since his superiors noticed that there was something wrong with him, not knowing that he had taken up serial killing as a way to get himself fame.

Lucky
Garcia meets Battle by accident in the café she goes to every morning. His computer glitches, but Garcia uses her computer knowledge to fix it. Referring to himself as James Colby Baylor, he then asks her out, recognizing her name as one of the people involved in investigating his murders. After a date at a restaurant, when they are walking together towards Garcia's home, they start talking about coincidences and how lucky it was that his computer glitched when she was around. When Garcia replies that she believes everything happens for a reason. Thinking that she is on to him, Battle becomes nervous and shoots her in the chest outside her house, saying before opening fire, "I've been thinking about doing this all night".



Penelope
Five days later, Battle returns to the scene to learn that Garcia has survived and begins stalking her after her release from the hospital. He attempts to break into her home, killing a police officer in the process but is chased away by Morgan, who had been staying at Garcia's apartment for her protection, after engaging in a brief shootout with the agent. Meanwhile, at the BAU headquarters, JJ is heading to her office as Agent Adam Fuchs is escorting a uniformed Battle into the bullpen area, Battle having approached him to discuss FBI interference with his cases. Fuchs introduces him to Kevin Lynch, who is brought in to fill in for the wounded Garcia. Kevin hesitates, looking right into Battle's eyes for a moment and recognizing him as Garcia's attacker before he escorts the two into the bullpen. There, Battle asks for his files to be removed from the FBI's computers until Fuchs' investigation of Garcia is completed. Kevin agrees to do it but instead takes the opportunity to warn Garcia, who then warns the rest of the BAU team.

As the scene progresses, Hotch comes out of his office and heads toward Rossi's to meet up with him; both know that he will start shooting the moment he feels that his bluff has been called. Hotch and Rossi then make their way down to the main floor, pretending to discuss a file, but Battle is still watching them carefully. Kevin then turns to Battle to tell him that all of his files are now erased from the FBI computers. Fuchs, the only man who doesn't know what is going on, moves to lead Battle out of the office. Reid, Prentiss, and Morgan know that it will culminate into a shootout, and they head out to get back to the BAU offices. As expected, Battle grabs Fuchs from behind and pulls a gun out. Holding him at gunpoint, Rossi tells Battle that he doesn't want his decorated career to end like this, but Battle arrogantly taunts that even the best minds in the FBI cannot stop him. He doesn't notice JJ as she is making her way carefully towards him, her own gun drawn. However, Rossi and Hotch, standing directly across from him, see her clearly. These motions prompt Battle to turn his head in order to look behind him. At that moment, JJ instantly shoots him right between the eyes, killing him.

Profile
No official profile of Battle was given. It is known that he is a paranoid narcissist with Hero Syndrome (described as being related to Angel of Death Syndrome), and thus has a great need for praise and respect. He would gun people down and call for help, making him appear to be a hero who saved their lives. Even if they died, Battle would still become a hero, being the first one to arrive on the scene. He also displays a great amount of confidence, remaining so even as things begin to go wrong for him. His attempts to cover his tracks became increasingly bolder, and if he failed, it would be his intention to die in a blaze of glory.

Modus Operandi
Battle typically targeted random victims and used a .38 revolver in his shootings, at least three of which were drive-by's (which may be to prevent any shell casings from being found at the scene). After shooting his victims, presumably in an area that wouldn't be immediately fatal, he would call for backup in order to make himself a hero by saving their lives. It can be assumed from the deaths of three victims that Battle may have been inexperienced in hitting them in non-fatal areas, at least initially. When he shot Garcia, he used a Smith & Wesson Model 36 revolver that he later disposed of. During the shootout at Garcia's apartment, he used a newly-purchased Smith & Wesson Model 67 revolver. During the standoff at the BAU headquarters, he held Agent Fuchs at gunpoint with a 9mm Beretta 92FS handgun.

Real-Life Comparison
Battle may have been partially inspired by Brazilian serial killer Tiago Gomes da Rocha, since both were involved in law enforcement and chose their victims at random before shooting them with .38 revolvers in drive-bys. He may have also been partially inspired by Gerard Schaefer, a double murderer, suspected serial killer, and possible necrophiliac, who worked as a Sheriff's Deputy.

Known Victims

 * Unspecified dates and locations:
 * Mr. Marshall
 * Ms. DeMao
 * Mr. Marcus
 * Presumably injured numerous unnamed others
 * 2007, Quantico, Virginia:
 * November 13: Penelope Garcia
 * November 18: The shooting at Garcia's apartment:
 * Penelope Garcia
 * Officer Mike Fleming
 * Derek Morgan
 * November 18-19: The standoff at the BAU headquarters:
 * IA Agent Adam Fuchs
 * Intended to kill the following in a shootout:
 * Aaron Hotchner
 * David Rossi
 * Kevin Lynch
 * Several unnamed agents and office workers

Appearances

 * Season Three
 * "Lucky"
 * "Penelope"
 * "True Night"
 * "Limelight"
 * Season Five
 * "Exit Wounds"
 * Season Twelve
 * "Spencer"