CNN released a report after reviewing hundreds of reported shootings at K-12 schools from 2009-2018. Since there isn’t single definition of what qualifies as a school shooting, they defined a school shooting as involving at least one person being shot and the shooting occurred on school property.
According to the report, “since 2009 there have been at least 177 schools which have experienced shootings with 356 victims”¦. School shooting are increasing, and no type of community is immune.” They have occurred in urban environments, suburban communities, eight have occurred at private schools, rural locations and on Native on a Native American reservation.
The report also cites the following data:
- Shootings at predominately white schools have an average of 3 casualties. Twice the number of shooting victims than at predominately black and Hispanic students.
- School shooting have occurred in 46 states (not in Hawaii, New Hampshire, or North Dakota)
- More shootings happen on Fridays and during the afternoon.
- Nearly 200,000 students attended schools where shootings have taken place.
- Shootings at mostly white schools have more casualties
- While black students make up about 15% of all students, they account for about 1/3 of all students who experienced a school shooting since 2009.
- Shootings at suburban schools tend to have more casualties.
- Shootings in rural areas tend to happen at white-majority schools.
- Shootings in urban areas have killed 114 people and injured 242.
- In 2009, there were 5 killed and 14 injured. In 2018, there were 37 killed and 68 injured.
- Some incidents are caused by events taking place in the school ““ bullying, poor grades, relationship-breakups, denial of graduation.
- Others have nothing to do with school ““ depression, family illness or death, dissolving of the family,
- Students may feel isolated and have not been taught problem-solving or conflict resolution skills.
More information can be found in my book, Creating Safe Schools: A Guide for School Leaders.