Real-Life Villains

Editing School shooting

Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.

The edit can be undone. Please check the comparison below to verify that this is what you want to do, and then publish the changes below to finish undoing the edit.

Latest revision Your text
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Mature}}
{{Mature}}
{{Important}}
{{Important}}
 
{{Quote|All the other kids with the pumped up kicks<br>You'd better run, better run<br>Outrun my gun<br>All the other kids with the pumped up kicks<br>You'd better run, better run<br>Faster than my bullet|Pumped Up Kicks by Foster The People, a song about school shootings.}}
{{Quote|Last day of the rest of my life<br>I wish I would've known,'cause I'd have kissed my mama goodbye.<br>I didn't tell her that I loved her and how much I care, or thank my pops for all the talks<br>and all the wisdom he shared.<br>Unaware, I just did what I always do,<br>everyday, the same routine before I skate off to school.<br>But who knew that this day wasn't like the rest;<br>Instead of taking a test,<br>I took two to the chest.|P.O.D., "Youth of the Nation"}}
A '''school shooting''' is an attack on an educational institution, most commonly a school or university, using one or more firearm.
A '''school shooting''' is an attack on an educational institution, most commonly a school or university, using one or more firearm.


[[File:REB_&_V.jpg|thumb|255x255px|Columbine shooters [[Eric Harris]] (left) and [[Dylan Klebold]] (right) on CCTV.|link=Special:FilePath/REB_&_V.jpg]]School shootings are especially common in the United States, but they can occur in other countries as well. It manifests as a student simply shooting a classmate or teacher in revenge to large scale bombings and/or [[Mass Shooting|mass shootings]].
[[File:REB_&_V.jpg|thumb|255x255px|Columbine shooters on Eric Harris (left) and Dylan Klebold (right) on CCTV.]]School shootings are especially common in the United States, but they can occur in other countries as well. It manifests as a student simply shooting a classmate or teacher in revenge to large scale bombings and/or [[Mass Shooting|mass shootings]].


The shooter(s) often commits suicide after they are finished with their attack, although some have surrendered to or been killed by police. Suicidal school shooters typically made martyrdom videos; typically explaining their act(s) and/or ranting about bullies.
The shooter(s) often commits suicide after they are finished with their attack, although some have surrendered to or been killed by police. Suicidal school shooters typically made martyrdom videos; typically explaining their act(s) and/or ranting about bullies.


[[File:Virginia Tech shooting Footage|thumb|250x250px|Seung-Hui Cho shoots up Virginia Tech - News|link=Special:FilePath/Virginia_Tech_shooting_Footage]]
[[File:Virginia Tech shooting Footage|thumb|250x250px|Seung-Hui Cho shoots up Virginia Tech - News]]


School shootings have became much more common in the 21st Century.
School shootings have became much more common in the 21st Century.


== History ==
== History ==
While school shootings did occasionally occur before the 20th century, the true first school shooting was Enoch Brown school massacre which was done by 4 men which are Native Americans, the first incident of what is today widely considered a school shooting (in which a current or former student of a school perpetrates an act of gun violence at an educational institution) is thought to be the University of Texas Tower shooting of 1966. The perpetrator, [[Charles Whitman]], was a student of architectural engineering at the university, and killed 31 people. This incident was the deadliest mass shooting by a lone gunman at the time.
While school shootings did occasionally occur before the 20th century, the first incident of what is today widely considered a school shooting (in which a current or former student of a school perpetrates an act of gun violence at an educational institution) is thought to be the University of Texas Tower shooting of 1966. The perpetrator, [[Charles Whitman]], was a student of architectural engineering at the university, and killed 31 people. This incident was the deadliest mass shooting by a lone gunman at the time.


Though there were several school shootings in the 70's and 80's, few of these resulted in multiple deaths. Some that did, including the CSU, Fullerton massacre and the Stockton schoolyard massacre were perpetrated by adults who either had never attended the institutions they attacked, or had passed out/dropped out long ago.
Though there were several school shootings in the 70's and 80's, few of these resulted in multiple deaths. Some that did, including the CSU, Fullerton massacre and the Stockton schoolyard massacre were perpetrated by adults who either had never attended the institutions they attacked, or had passed out/dropped out long ago.


The 90's saw a surge in school shootings. The archetype of the school shooter as an angry, alienated young person (young man, mostly) was established in this decade. School shooters sought to emulate former shooters by wearing the same clothes as them, and, in some cases (mainly black trench coats) , using the same weapons (pipe bombs/ specific guns). The most tragic school shooting of this decade, as well as the deadliest High School shooting at the time, was the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbine_High_School_massacre Columbine High School shooting], in which perpetrators [[Eric Harris]] and [[Dylan Klebold]] killed 13 people and injured many more, before taking their own lives.
The 90's saw a surge in school shootings. The archetype of the school shooter as an angry, alienated young person (young man, mostly) was established in this decade. School shooters sought to emulate former shooters by wearing the same clothes as them, and, in some cases (mainly black trench coats) , using the same weapons (pipe bombs/ specific guns). The most tragic school shooting of this decade, as well as the deadliest High School shooting at the time, was the [[Columbine High School shooting]], in which perpetrators [[Eric Harris]] and [[Dylan Klebold]] killed 13 people and injured many more, before taking their own lives.


Several school shooters were inspired by Columbine, with copycats appearing as soon as a month after it. Copycat shooters donned black trench coats and even imitated the dialogue of the Columbine shooters during their sprees (for example, some shooters asked their victims whether they believed in God before shooting them). The copycat effect is in part due to the excessive focus of the media on the background of the shooters, and the easy availability of journals/manifestos written by previous shooters online.
Several school shooters were inspired by Columbine, with copycats appearing as soon as a month after it. Copycat shooters donned black trench coats and even imitated the dialogue of the Columbine shooters during their sprees (for example, some shooters asked their victims whether they believed in God before shooting them). The copycat effect is in part due to the excessive focus of the media on the background of the shooters, and the easy availability of journals/manifestos written by previous shooters online.


Among the deadliest of school shootings of the 21st century are the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Tech_shooting Virginia Tech Shooting], the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandy_Hook_Elementary_School_shooting Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting], and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoneman_Douglas_High_School_shooting Stoneman Douglas High School Shooting], all of which surpassed Columbine in the terms of numbers of deaths. Each of these shootings resulted in debates about firearm possession and increased background checks during gun purchases in the United States of America.
Among the deadliest of school shootings of the 21st century are the [[Virginia Tech Shooting]], the [[Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting]], and the [[Stoneman Douglas High School Shooting]], all of which surpassed Columbine in the terms of numbers of deaths. Each of these shootings resulted in debates about firearm possession and increased background checks during gun purchases in the United States of America.


From the mid-2000s onward, copycat attacks have been perpetrated in other countries as well. Incidents of shooting and stabbing sprees in countries like Finland and Russia have been perpetrated by people inspired by Columbine.
From the mid-2000s onward, copycat attacks have been perpetrated in other countries as well. Incidents of shooting and stabbing sprees in countries like Finland and Russia have been perpetrated by people inspired by Columbine.  


==Causes==
==Causes==
Line 30: Line 29:
*Revenge against teachers for punishing the shooter unfairly. For that matter, there are cases of adults shooting staff members and/or students for wrongs/perceived wrongs the victim(s) committed against the perpetrator or their friends and/or family.
*Revenge against teachers for punishing the shooter unfairly. For that matter, there are cases of adults shooting staff members and/or students for wrongs/perceived wrongs the victim(s) committed against the perpetrator or their friends and/or family.
*Mental illness (sometimes without cause)
*Mental illness (sometimes without cause)
*Psychopathy
*[[Misanthropy]]
*[[Misanthropy]]
*Expulsion from the school
*Expulsion from the school
*Notoriety (wanting to gain widespread recognition for their actions)
*Notoriety (wanting to gain widespread recognition for their actions)
*Political tension
*Political tension
*[[Xenophobia]] (targeting specific racial groups out of hatred, usually the belief that Caucasians are superior to all other races)
*Xenophobia (targeting specific racial groups out of hatred, usually the belief that Caucasians are superior to all other races)
*They have been physically abused at home.
*They have been physically abused at home.
*The Copycat/Columbine Effect (the shooter might have been inspired by previous school shootings and wish to emulate them)
*The Copycat Effect (the shooter might have been inspired by previous school shootings and wish to emulate them)
*[[Bullycide]]
 
== Typology ==
Dr. Peter F. Langman, an expert on school shooters, provides the following typology for rampage school shooters:
# Traumatized School Shooters: This category consists of shooters who come from broken homes. Shooters from this category are likely to have been physically and/or sexually abused. Dr. Langman found that all of the subjects from his study sample who fell into this category had at least one parent with a history of substance abuse, and one parents who had been incarcerated. Shooters in this category include [[Evan Ramsey]], [[Mitchell Johnson and Andrew Golden|Mitchell Johnson]], and [[Jeff Weise|Jefferey Weise]].
# Psychotic School Shooters: School shooters from this category come from intact families and have no history of abuse or parental substance abuse or incarceration. These shooters exhibit signs of schizophrenia or schizotypal personality disorder, including paranoid delusions, delusions of grandeur, and auditory hallucinations. Shooters in this category include [[Kip Kinkel]], [[Michael Carneal]], and [[Andrew Wurst]].
# Psychopathic School Shooters: Shooters who fall into this category also come from intact families. They demonstrate signs of narcissism, a lack of empathy, a lack of conscience, and sadistic behavior. Shooters in this category include [[Mitchell Johnson and Andrew Golden|Andrew Golden]], and [[Robert Poulin]].
 
== Signs of a School Shooter and to prevent a school shooting ==
No one attribute (such as having a mental illness) or experience (bullying) can be considered the primary cause of a school shooting. However, research shows that there are several signs that an individual might be contemplating and/or planning an attack. Some of these signs are:
# "Leak" of intent: Several perpetrators leak their intentions to peers. This may happen through efforts to recruit other students to help in the attack, or through social media posts.
# Obsession with past shootings: Several aspiring shooters show an almost fanatical interest in past school shootings, sometimes going as far as visiting the sites where previous shootings occurred. Aspiring shooters might also be active on online discussion forums dedicated to previous shootings.
# Concerning behavior: Aspiring shooters might engage in behavior that causes other concerns prior to their attack. This might be anything from efforts to obtain firearms, to disturbing writings, and self-harm.
# Victims of bullying: According to the ''Safe Schools Initiative Report, ''roughly 71% of perpetrators of school shootings are the victims of bullying, with 87% leaving evidence that they were victims of severe bullying.
# Suicide ideation/attempt: Individuals planning attacks often exhibit suicidal tendencies. Several perpetrators leave behind journals and online posts that reveal that they are contemplating suicide. In fact, some shooters perpetrate attacks in an attempt to commit suicide by cop.
# Other psychological factors: According to the ''Safe Schools Initiative Report, ''10% of school shooters that had been diagnosed with a mental illness had failed to comply with their prescribed psychiatric medications. In addition to showing symptoms of depression, several perpetrators also struggled with narcissistic tendencies, rage, and tended to rely on the psychological strategy of 'splitting' (having extreme ways of thinking/ black and white thinking). Splitting is observed in certain personality disorders, and can even contribute to rationalizing homicide.
While no one of these signs is the definitive sign of a school shooter, the presence of several or these, simultaneously, might help identify an aspiring perpetrator.


==Examples==
==Examples==
Line 85: Line 66:
|Parkland, Florida, U.S.
|Parkland, Florida, U.S.
|1:1
|1:1
|Life in prison
|Arrested; Still awaiting conviction
|-
|-
|[[Luke Woodham]]
|[[Luke Woodham]]
Line 276: Line 257:
|
|
|Suicide
|Suicide
|
|-
|[[Ilnaz Galyaviev]]
|Gymnasium No 175
|May 11<sup>st</sup>, 2021
|9
|23
|Kazan, Russia
|
|Arrested




U.S.
|-
|-
|[[Federico Guevara Elizondo]]
|[[Federico Guevara Elizondo]]
|Northeast American School
|Colegio Americano del Noreste
|January 18<sup>th</sup>, 2017
|January 18<sup>th</sup>, 2017
|1
|1
Line 299: Line 269:
|
|
|Suicide
|Suicide
|-
|[[Salvador Ramos]]
|Robb Elementary School
|May 24<sup>th</sup>, 2022
|21
|17
|Uvalde, Texas, U.S.
|21:17
|Killed by first responders
|-
|[[Nathaniel Berhow]]
|Saugus High School
|November 14<sup>th</sup>, 2019
|2
|3
|Santa Clarita, California. U.S.
|2:3
|Suicide
|-
|[[Alvaro Castillo]]
|Orange High School
|August 30<sup>th</sup>, 2006
|1 (his father)
|2
|Hillsborough, North Carolina, U.S.
|1:2
|Life in prison
|-
|[[Alec McKinney]] and [[Devon Erickson]]
|STEM School Highlands Ranch
|May 7<sup>th</sup>, 2019
|1
|8
|Highlands Ranch, Colorado, U.S.
|1:8
|Both sentenced to life in prison
|-
|[[Mitchell Johnson and Andrew Golden]]
|Westside Middle School
|March 24<sup>th</sup>, 1998
|5
|10
|Craighead County, Arkansas, U.S.
|5:10
|Both arrested until turned 21
|-
|[[Jose Reyes]]
|Sparks Middle School
|October 21<sup>st</sup>, 2013
|1
|2
|Sparks, Nevada, U.S.
|1:2
|Suicide
|-
|[[Patrick Purdy]]
|Cleveland Elementary School
|January 17<sup>th</sup>, 1989
|5
|32
|Stockton, California, U.S.
|5:32
|Suicide
|-
|[[Michael Carneal]]
|Heath High School
|December 1<sup>st</sup>, 1997
|3
|5
|West Panducah, Kentucky, U.S.
|3:5
|Life in prison
|-
|[[Ethan Crumbley]]
|Oxford High School
|November 30<sup>th</sup>, 2021
|4
|7
|Oxford Township, Michigan, U.S.
|4:7
|Arrested; still awaiting conviction
|-
|[[Rigby Middle School Shooter|Unnamed female student]]
|Rigby Middle School
|May 7<sup>th</sup>, 2021
|0
|3
|Rigby, Idaho, U.S.
|0:3
|Arrested
|-
|[[Anthony Powell]]
|Henry Ford College
|April 10<sup>th</sup>, 2009
|1
|0
|Dearborn, Michigan, U.S.
|1:0
|Suicide
|-
|[[Thomas Watt Hamilton]]
|Dunblane Primary School
|March 13<sup>rd</sup>, 1996
|17
|15
|Dunblane, Stirling, Scotland
|17:15
|Suicide
|-
|[[David Moore]]
|Noblesville West Middle School
|May 25<sup>th</sup>, 2018
|0
|2
|Noblesville, Indiana, U.S.
|0:2
|Arrested
|
|}
|}
[[Category:School Shooters| ]]
[[Category:School Shooters| ]]
Line 430: Line 281:
[[Category:Tragic]]
[[Category:Tragic]]
[[Category:Vengeful]]
[[Category:Vengeful]]
[[Category:Terrorists]]
[[Category:Mass murder]]
[[Category:Terrorism]]
[[Category:Suicidal]]
[[Category:Suicidal]]
[[Category:Family of Victim]]
[[Category:Family of Victim]]
Line 440: Line 292:
[[Category:Misogynists]]
[[Category:Misogynists]]
[[Category:Misandrists]]
[[Category:Misandrists]]
[[Category:Psychopath]]
[[Category:Satanism]]
[[Category:Satanism]]
[[Category:Social Darwinist]]
[[Category:Social Darwinist]]
Line 445: Line 298:
[[Category:Destroyer]]
[[Category:Destroyer]]
[[Category:United States of America]]
[[Category:United States of America]]
[[Category:Delusional]]
[[Category:Cowards]]
[[Category:Attempted Murderer]]
[[Category:Brutes]]
Please note that all contributions to Real-Life Villains may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. If you do not want your writing to be edited mercilessly, then do not submit it here.
You are also promising us that you wrote this yourself, or copied it from a public domain or similar free resource (see Real-Life Villains:Copyrights for details). Do not submit copyrighted work without permission!
Cancel Editing help (opens in new window)

Templates used on this page:

This page is a member of a hidden category:

Retrieved from "https://reallifevillains.skywiki.org/wiki/School_shooting"