BACKGROUND/ISSUE: School Safety and injury prevention has been a long-standing public health priority. Mass shootings have become a significant public health concern in recent years, with little progress to prevent these events. This study investigates characteristics of mass shooters from 1989 -2022 obtained from “The Violence Project Database” which is the largest, most comprehensive source of information on the psychosocial histories of mass public shooters in the United States (Peterson & Densley, 2022). Specific qualitative and quantitative analysis was completed to focus on mass shootings that occurred in schools (K-12).

METHODS: Data was abstracted for mass shooting in locations only in K-12 schools that met the Congressional Research Service definition of a mass public shooting. Subjects included 15 in depth profiles of mass shooter analyzed to identify trends and themes. Variables investigated were psychosocial factors including Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE), incidence of warning of crisis, suicide and/or death of the shooter, and method of access to guns.

RESULTS: The results indicate that while psychosocial history of school mass shooters are notable, active signs of distress, suicidality and desire for the shooter to be killed, access to guns are critical factors in understanding this complex act of violence.

CONCULSIONS: The benefits of including more active mental health resources for schools, the limited efficacy of mass shooting drills in schools, and are discussed. Related issues such as suicide prevention and gun regulation (safety, wait-time) should also be considered. Improving these factors could impact public health policy and public safety.