NCJ Number
219037
Journal
Journal of School Violence Volume: 6 Issue: 1 Dated: 2007 Pages: 83-99
Date Published
2007
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This study of the content of news reports on 30 planned school rampages in the United States that were detected and prevented focused on the details of the plot, how it was discovered, school actions in response, police actions, and the legal outcomes.
Abstract
Regarding plot details, half of the plots involved more than one student. Most plotters were students who planned on using guns or a combination of guns and explosives. The most common motive for the planned rampage was to retaliate for bullying. In the majority of cases, other students were the intended victims. Most of the plotters communicated their intentions to others. The majority of the plots were detected when persons who suspected the plot reported their concerns to school personnel or the police. Such reporting was done by other students, teachers, and anonymous tips to police or school administrators. The most common school responses upon learning of the plot were to call the police and increase school security. The latter included a lockdown, evacuation of the building, a search of the school, and closing the school. The most common police action was to conduct an investigation. Legal actions included filing charges, setting dates of hearings and trials, and entering pleas. Dispositions included serving time in jail or a juvenile facility, being released, being ordered to attend counseling, issuing a restraining order, and formal sentencing. The news reports examined covered the period from October 24, 2001, to October 24, 2004. Articles were found through a search of the Lexus/Nexus online database. 21 references