School Shootings: Current Status and Recommendations for Research and Practice

Abstract

The recent increase in school shootings has brought about an urgency to renew efforts to understand and reduce them. In this article, the Division for Emotional and Behavioral Health reviews what is known about school shootings, including data related to incidence and shooter profiles. In addition, we describe responses to shootings, accompanied by data on effectiveness, when available. We conclude with recommendations for practice and a call for increased and rigorous research designed to understand and prevent school shootings.