1. Columbine High School – Littleton, Colorado (1999)
On April 20, 1999, two students walked into their high school armed with guns and bombs. They killed 13 people and injured 21 others before taking their own lives.
2. Virginia Tech – Blacksburg, Virginia (2007)
On April 16, 2007, a student opened fire on the campus of Virginia Tech. He killed 32 people and injured 17 others before committing suicide.
3. Sandy Hook Elementary School – Newtown, Connecticut (2012)
On December 14, 2012, a man shot and killed 26 people at Sandy Hook Elementary School. The victims were mostly young children and their teachers.
4. Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School – Parkland, Florida (2018)
On February 14, 2018, a former student opened fire on his former school, killing 17 people and injuring 17 others.
5. Santa Fe High School – Santa Fe, Texas (2018)
On May 18, 2018, a student killed 10 people and injured 13 others at Santa Fe High School.
6. Saugus High School – Santa Clarita, California (2019)
On November 14, 2019, a student opened fire on his high school, killing two students and injuring three others before shooting himself.
7. STEM School Highlands Ranch – Highlands Ranch, Colorado (2019)
On May 7, 2019, two students opened fire on their school, killing one and injuring eight others.
8. Parkrose High School – Portland, Oregon (2019)
On May 17, 2019, a student brought a gun to school and intended to harm himself. A football coach was able to disarm him before anyone was killed or injured.
9. Saugus High School – Santa Clarita, California (2019)
On November 14, 2019, a student opened fire on his high school, killing two students and injuring three others before shooting himself.
10. North Park Elementary School – San Bernardino, California (2017)
On April 10, 2017, a man entered a classroom at North Park Elementary School and opened fire, killing a teacher and an 8-year-old student before killing himself.
This list only scratches the surface of the school shootings that have occurred in the United States. According to Everytown for Gun Safety, there have been at least 116 incidents of gunfire on school grounds in the United States since 2013. This includes both mass shootings and individual incidents. The Gun Violence Archive reports that there have been 139 mass shootings (defined as four or more people killed or injured in a single incident, not including the shooter) in the United States in 2021 alone.
As these numbers continue to grow, the debate on how to prevent school shootings becomes more urgent. Some argue for stricter gun control laws and background checks, while others advocate for improved mental health resources and threat assessment protocols in schools. There is no one solution to this complex issue, but it is clear that action needs to be taken to ensure the safety of students and staff.
In the meantime, it is important to memorialize the victims of these senseless acts of violence and to honor the bravery of those who have acted heroically in the face of danger. It is also crucial to listen to the voices of survivors and their families, who have been forever changed by these tragedies.
In conclusion, the list of school shootings in the United States is a sobering reminder of the impact of gun violence on our communities. While each incident is unique, the common thread is the devastating loss of life and the trauma that follows. It is up to our leaders, educators, and society as a whole to work towards a solution that ensures the safety and well-being of all students.