Record Number of School Shooting Deaths and Injuries in September

New data shows last month was the worst September for deaths and injuries from school shootings for the past decade.
The School Shooting Data and Analysis report, written by David Riedman of the K-12 School Shooting Database, reveals that September 2024 saw eight people killed, and 38 people injured from school shootings, higher than any previous September — typically the first month of school after summer break — since 2014.
The K-12 School Shooting Database is composed of data for all gun-related activity at a school, including incidents where a gun is brandished or fired, or a bullet hits school property for any reason.
The data from September shows a decrease in the number of school shootings — 33 in September 2024 compared to 38, 36, and 55 in the same month for the prior three years respectively.
However, the shootings have been more dangerous. This September saw a sharp rise in shooting-related injuries, with 38 students wounded during the month compared to 20 in September of 2023, and 33 in September 2022.
It also shows an increase in deaths. In September 2024, eight students were killed, the highest number for the same month since 2014.
Riedman told Newsweek that the increase was in part due to the 13 people shot on September 4 at Apalachee High School near Winder, Georgia, as well as “the systemic gun violence that happens on campus every day, [for example] fights that escalate, accidents, domestic violence.”
The Apalachee school shooting left two teachers and two students, both 14 years old, dead. Eight other students and one faculty member were injured. Police charged a 14-year-old suspect, Colt Gray, with murder. His father has also been arrested in connection with the incident, accused of giving his son an assault-style rifle.
Riedman believes that the key to addressing school shootings is “public education and standardized reporting system similar to ‘see something, say something’ so that anyone who spots ‘red flags’ can easily report them to police.”
He added that there was also a need for “fully funded crisis intervention programs in every community to help someone who shows risk factors before they decide violence is their only option.”
Reidman also advocates for laws that require safe gun storage, and the ability to hold legal gun owners liable for crimes committed with their firearm if it is left unsecured.
2023 was the worst year on record for school shootings, with a total of 348 incidents as recorded by the K-12 School Shooting Database. So far, 2024 has seen 249 school shootings.
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