CRIMECONTROL - Vol.36, No.21 - KEY POINTS IN SCHOOL VIOLENCE STUDY

Sep 28, 2026

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CRIMECONTROL highlights findings from a U.S. Secret Service and Education Department report on targeted school violence. The study emphasizes that many school attacks are not impulsive: attackers often show warning behaviors, and peers or others may know about plans or ideas beforehand. Key results cover motives such as revenge and grievances, prior access and use of guns, and the role of bullying, threats, and suicidal behavior. It also discusses prevention through relationships, listening, and training for educators and law enforcement.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages9

Reading Time23 min

AccessFree to download

KEY POINTS IN SCHOOL VIOLENCE STUDY

Key findings

Prevention implications

May 24,2002 Vol.36,No.21 IN THIS ISSUE Minnesota Study Cites WaysTo Cut Domestic Homicide.3North Carolina DomesticViolence Case Goes Awry….3Boston Revives BoardTo Review Use OfForce….3California County Trains ForDealing With Mentally l…4 LEGISLATION House Approves WiretapsOf Sexual Predators……4House Okays Bill To CreateSafe Website For Children.4 IN THE COURTS Justices Decide IndictmentMay Contain Errors…………4High Court Expands IndigentRights To Counse……….5Supreme Court Grants ReviewOf Sex Registry Laws……5 ACROSS THE STATES Colorado,Iowa………………5New Hampshire………………6New Mexico,New York……6Montana,Nebraska…………6Nevada………………………6North Carolina…………7North Dakota,Oklahoma.7Rhode Island,Washington..7 ings—and # CRIMECONTROL School Attacks Result From AdvancedPlanning That Can Be Detected Following a three-year partner-partment and the Secret Service,ajoint report summarizing their workreveals incidents of targeted vio-lence in schools are rarely impul-sive and that attacks are typicallythe end result of a process of think-ing and behavior that often can bedetected by others. Perhaps among the most criticalquarters of the incidents,othersknew about the attacker's idea orplan to attack. Most attackers also engaged insome behavior that caused othersconcern or indicated a need forhelp.In virtually all the cases wheresomeone knew of the plan,the per- "The Final son with advance ## KEY POINTS IN SCHOOLVIOLENCE STUDY Report and Find- notice was a ings of the Safe peer—a friend, Among the key findings: School Initiative: schoolmate or ·More than half of the attackershad revenge as a motive and almostthree-quarters were known to hold agrievance prior to the attack. Implications for sibling.In only the Prevention of two cases did an School Attacks in adult know of the ·Most attackers had previouslyused guns and had accoss to them.Two-thirds got the guns used in at-tacks from their own home or that of arelative. the United States” idea or plan. examines the be- "While we havior and think- now know that ing of young per- there is no accu- sons who commit ·Despite prompt law enforcementresponse,most shooting incidentswere resolved before law enforce-ment authorities arrived on the scene.Other students or faculty stepped in,or the student stopped shooting or rate profile of the acts of targeted 'school shooter,' violence in the there are warning nation's schools. signs that could The find- alert peers and adults to the plans 12 In almost half the cases,the at-tacker was influenced or encouragedby others.In most casesthe attackeracted alone. scheduled training of young attack- sessions for edu- ers,"said Educa- tion Secretary cators and law en- Rod Paige. forcement—could "In almost every case in thisstudy,attackers behaved in waysthat caused others concern.Many help communities prevent schoolviolence and allow them to identifyand help children in need. had difficulty coping with a majorrelationship change or a loss ofstatus among their peers.Manythreatened or tried to commit sui-cide.And many felt desperate andlet others know that.This under-scores the absolutely critical need toestablish relationships and connec-tions with young people,and to lis-ten to them,and their peers. Paige said assistance for law en-forcement and schools is availablethrough the No Child Left BehindAct and the Safe and Drug FreeSchools Program. The secretary also said trainingsessions that will be offered in themonths ahead wil provide“powerful tools”to help educatorsand police detect and prevent futureincidents. Bullying appeared to play amajor role in motivating some at-tacks,said Secret Service DirectorBrian L.Stafford. In more than two-thirds ofcases,the attackers said they feltpersecuted,bullied,threatened,at-tacked,or injured by others prior tothe incident. Following the Columbine HighSchool attack in April 1999,the Se-cret Serv

FAQs

What does the study say about whether school attacks are impulsive?

Incidents of targeted violence in schools are rarely impulsive. Attacks are typically the result of a process of thinking and behavior that can be detected by others.

What warning behaviors are highlighted for prevention?

In many cases, attackers behaved in ways that caused others concern. Many also faced major relationship change or status loss, threatened suicide, or felt desperate enough to let others know.

How does the report describe prevention actions for educators and law enforcement?

Prompt response helps, since many incidents are resolved before authorities arrive. The report stresses establishing connections with young people and providing training “powerful tools” to help detect and prevent future incidents.

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by McGucket