NCJ Number
184037
Journal
Journal of Gang Research Volume: 7 Issue: 4 Dated: Summer 2000 Pages: 29-36
Date Published
2000
Length
8 pages
Annotation
In an effort to increase the understanding and curtailment of school violence, this article provides a preliminary discussion of seven school shootings from 1997 to 1999.
Abstract
The school shootings examined were in Pearl, Miss.; West Paducah, Ky.; Jonesboro, Ark.; Edinboro, Pa.; Springfield, Ore.; Littleton, Col.; and Conyers, Ga. Information on these shootings was collected from newspapers, the Internet, various articles, magazines, and interviews. The study concludes that all seven sites were examples of premeditated homicide, with many of the shootings being planned a year or two before the actual shooting occurred. Plans included where, when, and how to get the weapons, where to place bombs, where to find the victims, the correct time of day, and how to proceed from the beginning to the end to achieve specific goals. In every instance, before the shooting occurred, prior warning was given by the juvenile shooters to others about their determination to shoot and kill someone. Researchers have explored various contributing factors for the school shootings, ranging from the lack of two parents in the home, media violence, behavior/emotional disorder, bully behavior, bullied victim, and alienation. Apparently the most important contributing factor for the increase of youth school violence is the easy access to guns. In a 1992 study, students reported that guns were easy to access, either from their friends, from the streets, and/or from their homes. Classroom violence-prevention suggestions are provided, along with a listing of profile factors among the shooters involved at the seven sites. 29 references