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Columbine High School
On April 20, 1999, two students, Eric Harris, and Dylan Klebold, had a plan devised, according to Harris’ journal to “kill and injure as many of you as I can, especially some people”. The result was 13 valuable lives gone and more than 20 injured before Klebold and Harris turned their guns on themselves committing suicide being known as the deadliest shooting at a high school. This relates to my issue because it sets the scene for both too many school shootings and gun control laws. -
Chardon High School
Students were eating breakfast in the cafeteria like any other day. T.J. Lane opened fire killing three students and permanently paralyzing two students. The deceased was later named Daniel Parmertor, Russell King Jr., and Demetrius Hewlin. A football coach and teacher later tackled Lane and he was arrested when one of the victims said he was the perpetrator before passing in the hospital. This event is significant because it happened 40 minutes from me and it shows that anyone can be hurt. -
Sandy Hook Elementary School
Sandy Hook is one of the deadliest shootings at an elementary school in U.S. history. Adam Lanza is the perpetrator who shot and killed 20 first graders who had their whole lives ahead of them and 6 school staff members and later shot himself after the attack. This is significant because it sent records in the completely wrong way only to be beaten in a couple of years by Uvalde. Researching this topic has been disheartening because we should only be worried about students learning, not dying. -
Marysville-Pilchuck High School
Jaylen Fryberg was the perpetrator who killed 4 students and injured 3, 2 being unidentified. One of the injured victims turned out to be Fryberg's cousin, Nate Hatch. His main target was a group of friends because he thought it had something to do with a romantic interaction. This event is significant because it shows that even though the shooter might have a motive, they would still go off and murder more people and ruin more families. -
Rancho Tehama Elementary School
The Rancho Tehama shooting lasted two days and ended at the elementary school. The perpetrator Kevin Neal went on a shooting spree around the small town targeting locations, including the elementary school. There were no deaths at the elementary school but 6 children were wounded. Neal was later shot dead by police officers. This event is significant because no matter what the motive is, children are always hit. -
Marshall County High School
Gabe Parker was the suspect who shot and killed 2 students and injured 18 more in Marshall County, Washington. He utilized a Ruger handgun. He was charged with 2 counts of murder and 12 counts of first-degree assault. This event is significant because it raises concern about gun violence in schools and student mental health which I am very passionate about. -
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School
Nikolas Cruz is the perpetrator of one of the deadliest high school shootings in U.S. history since Columbine. All of the people injured ended up dying either in the hospital or on-site. He was charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder. This event is significant because the fatality count keeps going up and there's also a lack of mental health resources for students. -
Santa Fe High School
Dimitrios Pagourtzis is the perpetrator of the Santa Fe school shooting that killed 10 and injured 13. He used a shotgun and a .38 revolver that were legally under the ownership of his dad. He was later arrested and charged with capital murder and aggravated assault on a public servant. This event is significant because it started conversations about accessibility of guns and mental health of students -
Stem School Highlands Ranch
Devon Michael Erickson and Alec McKinney were the perpetrators responsible for 1 death and 8 injuries at STEM Highlands Ranch in Colorado. The true hero of this tragedy is student Kendrick Castillo who jumped in front of one of the shooters trying to stop it and got shot in the chest. This event is significant because it talks about heroism and school safety measures. -
Saugus High School
Nathaniel Berhow was the perpetrator responsible for killing 2 students and injuring 3 others at Saugus High School in Santa Clarita, California. According to the sheriff, it was over within 16 seconds after he shot the 5 and he proceeded to shoot himself. Berhow used a .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol. This event is significant because it started conversations about safety in schools and prevention of shootings -
Oxford High School
Ethan Crumbley is the perpetrator responsible for killing 4 and injuring 7 at Oxford High School in Michigan. His weapon of choice was a 9mm semi-automatic handgun. He was charged with terrorism causing death, first-degree murder, assault with intent to murder, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. His parents were also charged with involuntary manslaughter for failing to secure the gun used in the shooting. This is significant because it has sparked conversations. -
Robb Elementary School
Salvador Ramos is the one responsible for killing 19 children and 2 teachers and injuring 17 at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. He used 2 AR rifles. He started the day by shooting his grandma leaving her in critical condition. The police responding were being judged because they took approximately an hour to respond while innocent lives were being lost. This event is significant because it was the deadliest elementary school shooting since Sandy Hook. -
Richneck Elementary School
The shooting at Richneck Elementary is different than most school shootings because it was a 6-year-old student wanting to shoot his teacher. Abby Zwerner was the only victim shot by her 6-year-old student on January 6, 2023. She was in critical condition but she is now released from the hospital and on the road to recovery. This event is significant because it showed how easy it is to get a gun no matter your age. -
The Covenant School
Audrey Hale used two rifles and a pistol to kill 3 children and 3 staff members randomly at The Covenant School in Nashville. She was later shot by police officers. According to Hale's parents, she was under doctor's care for an unnamed emotional disorder and they didn't want her to have a gun. This event is significant because it shows that the perpetrator isn't always a male and can be anyone. -
Huguenot High School
Amari Ty-Jon Pollard is the one responsible for the shooting at the graduation ceremony for Huguenot High School's class of 2023. It turns out he has been targeting the victim, Shawn Jackson, for about a year. Pollard also injured 5 people by gunfire and at least 12 more suffered other injuries. The fatalities included Jackson and his dad, Lorenzo Smith. Pollard received one charge of first-degree murder. This event is significant because it shows that this can happen at any event.