188 school shootings with casualties reported during the 2021-22 school year, according to federal data

In a disturbing trend, the United States has witnessed a record-breaking number of school shootings for the second consecutive year. According to the latest federal data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), there were a staggering 188 school shootings with casualties reported at both public and private elementary schools during the 2021-22 academic year. Of these incidents, approximately two-thirds resulted in injuries, while 57 tragically led to fatalities.

This disheartening statistic marks a sharp increase from the previous year when there were 93 shootings with casualties, already the highest number in two decades. The data, however, comes with a caveat from the report’s authors, who advise caution in interpreting figures during the pandemic. Nevertheless, the statistics indicate a significant uptick in specific types of school shootings even in post-pandemic years.

The surge in school shootings mirrors a broader trend of rising gun violence in the United States. The Gun Violence Archive reports that the total number of gun-related deaths in the country this year has already surpassed 30,000, reflecting a deeply concerning trend.

Demographics of School Shooters:

The NCES report sheds light on the demographics of individuals responsible for these tragic incidents over the past two decades. Of the 47 people identified as perpetrators of active shooting incidents at elementary and secondary schools during this period, a staggering 46 were male. Furthermore, 34 of these individuals were aged between 12 and 18 years old.

The report defines school shootings as incidents in which firearms are brandished, fired, or result in damage to school property, irrespective of the number of victims or the time and day of the week.

Recent Incidents:

In 2023, the nation has already witnessed 30 school shootings, as reported by Education Week’s national school shooting database. These incidents have resulted in the tragic loss of 16 lives, including 12 students and children, with 32 others sustaining injuries. One of the most recent fatal shootings occurred at St. Helena Career & College Academy in Greensburg, Louisiana, where one student lost their life, and two others were injured. Law enforcement swiftly apprehended a suspect, another student, in connection with the incident.

Public Opinion:

A national NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll conducted in May indicated that a majority of Americans—six in 10—believe that controlling gun violence is more crucial than protecting gun rights. This figure represents the highest level of support for gun control measures in a decade and was based on a survey of nearly 1,300 adults.

Reactions to the Data:

The latest figures have drawn sharp criticism from anti-gun violence advocacy groups. Sarah Burd-Sharps, the Senior Director of Research at Everytown for Gun Safety, expressed her concern, stating, “The numbers paint a distressing but accurate portrayal of the dangers facing our kids today. The threat of gun violence at our schools and in our communities has become a constant in our children’s lives. Yet, school shootings are not inevitable – they are the result of years of policy inaction.”

Billy McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the National Rifle Association (NRA), took issue with the methodology behind the data and called the report “a diversion from the real issues.” McLaughlin cited concerns about what he referred to as “the alarming Biden crime wave, policies that are too lenient on criminals, and the inaction of leftist district attorneys whose proper enforcement could save lives immediately.”

As the nation grapples with this distressing increase in school shootings, calls for action to address gun violence and implement effective policies continue to intensify.