NCJ Number
188017
Date Published
2000
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This report presents preliminary findings from the U.S. Secret Service's National Threat Assessment Center's (NTAC's) analysis of the behavior and thinking of more than 30 school shooters.
Abstract
Personnel from the NTAC studied 37 school shootings that involved 41 attackers who were current or recent students at the school, and where the attacker(s) chose the school for a particular purpose. Shootings that were clearly related to gang or drug activity, or to an interpersonal or relationship dispute that just happened to occur at the school were not included. For each incident, researchers reviewed primary source materials. In addition to file reviews for each case, NTAC personnel conducted supplemental interviews with 10 of the attackers. The findings presented in this report are based primarily on the information obtained from a review of available files in each case. Preliminary findings show that incidents of targeted violence at school are rarely impulsive; they are typically the end result of an understandable and often discernible process of thinking and behavior. Prior to most incidents, the attacker told someone about their idea and/or plan. No accurate or useful profile of "the school shooter" could be ascertained. Most attackers had previously used guns and had access to them. Further, most shooting incidents were not resolved by law enforcement intervention. In many cases, other students were involved in some capacity. In a number of cases, having been bullied played a key role in the attack. Most attackers engaged in some behavior prior to the incident that caused others concern or indicated a need for help. Implications for policy and action are drawn for each of the aforementioned findings. 7 references