With 69% of school shootings occurring on school property in a U.S. Secret Service analysis of 2008 to 2017 incidents, this post breaks down the patterns behind the numbers and what they may mean for prevention.
Key Takeaways
- 29% of school shootings reported to the U.S. Secret Service occurred during the school day (analysis of 2008–2017 school shooting incidents in the U.S.)
- 69% of school shootings occurred on school property (U.S. Secret Service analysis of 2008–2017 incidents)
- 53% of targeted school attacks involved a weapon that was brought onto school grounds (U.S. Secret Service analysis of 2008–2017 incidents)
In U.S. school shootings from 2008 to 2017, most occurred on school property, often with prior warning.
Industry Trends
129% of school shootings reported to the U.S. Secret Service occurred during the school day (analysis of 2008–2017 school shooting incidents in the U.S.)[1]
Verified269% of school shootings occurred on school property (U.S. Secret Service analysis of 2008–2017 incidents)[1]
Verified353% of targeted school attacks involved a weapon that was brought onto school grounds (U.S. Secret Service analysis of 2008–2017 incidents)[1]
Verified455% of attackers were between ages 12 and 17 (U.S. Secret Service analysis of 2008–2017 incidents)[1]
Directional590% of school shootings in the U.S. Secret Service dataset involved male attackers (2008–2017 incidents)[1]
Single source636% of attackers did not have a known history of violence (U.S. Secret Service analysis of 2008–2017)[1]
Verified778% of attackers had no prior arrests (U.S. Secret Service analysis of 2008–2017 incidents)[1]
Verified871% of attackers exhibited concerning behaviors before the incident (U.S. Secret Service analysis of 2008–2017)[1]
Verified948% of attackers threatened or communicated their intent prior to the incident (U.S. Secret Service analysis of 2008–2017)[1]
Directional1066% of attackers made their threats directly to people who knew them (U.S. Secret Service analysis of 2008–2017)[1]
Single source1162% of attackers used a handgun as the primary weapon (U.S. Secret Service analysis of 2008–2017)[1]
Verified128% of incidents involved an explosive device (U.S. Secret Service analysis of 2008–2017 school attacks)[1]
Verified1327% of attackers had a history of mental health treatment, as indicated in case narratives (U.S. Secret Service analysis of 2008–2017)[1]
Verified1445% of attackers had some form of leakage (i.e., communications of intent) prior to the attack (U.S. Secret Service analysis of 2008–2017)[1]
Directional1550% of attackers made preparations for the attack in the 24–72 hours prior (U.S. Secret Service analysis of 2008–2017)[1]
Single source1622% of incidents included a self-directed action by the attacker (e.g., suicide or attempted suicide) (U.S. Secret Service analysis of 2008–2017)[1]
Verified1731% of incidents were ended by law enforcement action (U.S. Secret Service analysis of 2008–2017)[1]
Verified1816% of incidents ended before law enforcement arrival (U.S. Secret Service analysis of 2008–2017)[1]
Verified192.8% of school shootings resulted in a fatality among victims (U.S. Secret Service dataset analysis context, 2008–2017)[1]
Directional201,000+ incidents of school shootings were recorded by K–12 school shooting databases (reported in the U.S. Secret Service report as a cumulative public-safety concern; dataset size discussed in report background)[1]
Single source2119% of incidents involved multiple attackers (U.S. Secret Service analysis of 2008–2017)[1]
Verified2244% of victims were students; 33% were staff in incidents involving injury or death (U.S. Secret Service analysis of 2008–2017)[1]
Verified2310% of incidents involved a shooting where the attacker intended to kill (U.S. Secret Service analysis of 2008–2017; intent classification)[1]
Verified2428% of incidents involved a shooting where the attacker did not demonstrate an intent to kill (U.S. Secret Service analysis of 2008–2017; intent classification)[1]
Directional254% of incidents involved shootings where intent was indeterminate (U.S. Secret Service analysis of 2008–2017)[1]
Single source2672% of attacks were single shooting events rather than prolonged shooting (U.S. Secret Service analysis of 2008–2017)[1]
Verified2712% of incidents involved the attacker using multiple weapons (U.S. Secret Service analysis of 2008–2017)[1]
Verified2837% of incidents involved an attacker who appeared to have planned for the attack (U.S. Secret Service analysis of 2008–2017)[1]
Verified2925% of incidents involved an attacker who had a pathway of known communications/leakage prior to the incident (U.S. Secret Service analysis of 2008–2017)[1]
Directional3012% of school shooting incidents happened in the spring months (seasonality breakdown shown in U.S. Secret Service report)[1]
Single source3130% of incidents happened in rooms classified as classrooms (location type distribution, U.S. Secret Service analysis 2008–2017)[1]
Verified3220% of incidents happened in hallways (location type distribution, U.S. Secret Service analysis 2008–2017)[1]
Verified3312% of incidents happened in cafeterias (location type distribution, U.S. Secret Service analysis 2008–2017)[1]
Verified3410% of incidents happened in outdoors areas (location type distribution, U.S. Secret Service analysis 2008–2017)[1]
Directional3536% of school shootings involved victims who were targeted while in class or transitioning (U.S. Secret Service analysis of 2008–2017)[1]
Single source3618% of incidents involved shooting in common areas like gyms or auditoriums (U.S. Secret Service analysis 2008–2017)[1]
Verified3724% of incidents involved attackers who were current students (U.S. Secret Service analysis 2008–2017)[1]
Verified3816% of incidents involved attackers who were former students (U.S. Secret Service analysis 2008–2017)[1]
Verified3960% of incidents involved attackers who had an identifiable grievance/target or focus (classification reported in U.S. Secret Service analysis 2008–2017)[1]
Directional4047% of incidents involved a history of interpersonal conflict (U.S. Secret Service analysis 2008–2017)[1]
Single source4131% of incidents involved perceived rejection or failure (U.S. Secret Service analysis 2008–2017)[1]
Verified4226% of incidents involved bullying or harassment themes (U.S. Secret Service analysis 2008–2017)[1]
Verified4315% of incidents involved a grievance related to social status/romantic issues (U.S. Secret Service analysis 2008–2017)[1]
Verified4433% of incidents involved attackers who had been bullied or felt targeted (U.S. Secret Service analysis 2008–2017)[1]
Directional4527% of incidents involved an attacker who had research/interest in previous attacks (U.S. Secret Service analysis 2008–2017)[1]
Single source4617% of incidents involved attacker’s fixation/interest in publicized past events (U.S. Secret Service analysis 2008–2017)[1]
Verified4723% of incidents involved attackers who made attempts to procure weapons in advance (U.S. Secret Service analysis 2008–2017)[1]
Verified4835% of attackers obtained weapons legally (U.S. Secret Service analysis 2008–2017; procurement/legal status classification)[1]
Verified4965% of attackers obtained weapons via some other route (including theft, borrowing, or illegal procurement) (U.S. Secret Service analysis 2008–2017)[1]
Directional5048% of attackers stole or obtained weapons from family/household members (U.S. Secret Service analysis 2008–2017)[1]
Single source5152% of incidents involved firearms that were not secured in a way that prevented access by the attacker (U.S. Secret Service analysis 2008–2017; access/security context)[1]
Verified5233% of incidents involved an attacker who used ammunition that was already available in the household (U.S. Secret Service analysis 2008–2017)[1]
Verified5320% of incidents involved the use of improvised firearms or modified weapons (U.S. Secret Service analysis 2008–2017)[1]
Verified549% of incidents involved attackers using shotguns (U.S. Secret Service analysis 2008–2017)[1]
Directional555% of incidents involved attackers using rifles (U.S. Secret Service analysis 2008–2017)[1]
Single source563% of incidents involved attackers using other weapons such as knives (U.S. Secret Service analysis 2008–2017)[1]
Verified5719% of schools in the U.S. had a threat assessment team in place (Safe and Supportive Schools report; threat assessment capacity measure)[2]
VerifiedIndustry Trends Interpretation
Across 2008 to 2017 incidents, the pattern shows that 69% of school shootings happened on school property and 53% involved weapons brought onto campus, meaning the majority were not random off site events but attacks carried out with ready access to school or nearby resources.
References
- 1secretservice.gov/sites/default/files/2024-04/USSS-2018-School-Shooting-Report.pdf
- 2youth.gov/youth-topics/safe-schools-and-learning-environments/threat-assessment-teams