K-12 school shootings by shooter affiliation U.S. 2024

Between 1966 and July 22, 2024, students were the most likely offenders of K-12 school shootings in the United States, accounting for 38.5 percent of the shootings that took place in elementary and secondary schools. Within the provided time period, over three percent of K-12 school shootings were perpetrated by a parent, while 2.8 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.

Share of K-12 school shootings in the United States from 1966 to July 22, 2024, by relation of shooter to school

Characteristic	Share of school shootings
Student	38.5%
No relation	26.7%
Unknown	12.3%
Non-student using athletic facilities/attending game	6.5%
Parent	3.1%
Former student	2.8%
Police officer/SRO	2.5%
Nonstudent	1.9%
Relative	1.6%
Rival school student	1.3%
Intimate relationship with victim	1.3%
Other staff	1%
Teacher	0.6%

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Release date

July 2024

More information

Region

United States

Survey time period

1966 to July 22, 2024

Supplementary notes

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.
Data may differ based on what definition is used.

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