Share of K-12 school shootings U.S. 1966-2024, by shooter affiliation
Between 1966 and April 18, 2024, students were the most likely offenders of K-12 school shootings in the United States, accounting for 39.6 percent of the shootings that took place in elementary and secondary schools. Within the provided time period, three percent of K-12 school shootings were perpetrated by a parent, while 2.9 percent were committed by a former student.
The source defines a school shooting as every time a gun is brandished, fired, or a bullet hits school property for any reason, regardless of the number of victims (including zero), time, day or the week, or reason, including gang shootings, domestic violence, shootings at sports games and after hours school events, suicides, fights that escalate into shootings, and accidents.
The source defines a school shooting as every time a gun is brandished, fired, or a bullet hits school property for any reason, regardless of the number of victims (including zero), time, day or the week, or reason, including gang shootings, domestic violence, shootings at sports games and after hours school events, suicides, fights that escalate into shootings, and accidents.
