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Each year in the United States, school shootings generate headlines, spark debates, and raise concerns about student safety. While definitions differ between organizations, one of the most widely cited sources is the CNN School Shootings Database, which tracks incidents at K-12 schools and colleges in which at least one person (other than the shooter) is shot. This article examines trends since 2008, with a focus on how 2025 is shaping up compared to previous years.
Defining the Numbers
School shootings are measured differently depending on the source. For example:
CNN’s Database includes shootings on K-12 and college campuses that result in injury or death.
Everytown for Gun Safety takes a broader view, counting any incident where a firearm discharges on school property, even without casualties.
Education Week limits its count to K-12 shootings where someone was injured or killed during the school day.
For consistency, we use CNN’s approach, which provides annual totals back to 2008 and is frequently cited by national outlets.
Year-by-Year Totals
According to CNN’s Fast Facts and database entries, the annual totals since 2015 are as follows:
Looking further back, CNN’s database confirms that annual totals before 2015 rarely exceeded 30 incidents, which means the last decade has been far more violent than the decade prior.
2025 in Context
With 47 shootings already recorded by early September, 2025 is tracking ahead of several past years. For comparison:
By September of 2019, the U.S. had fewer than 40.
By September of 2022, the total was near 50, eventually reaching 80 by year’s end.
By September of 2024, the total was in the mid-50s, finishing the year at 83.
If trends continue, 2025 may end with another record-setting number, though the final months of the year will determine whether it surpasses 2024.
The Long-Term Rise
Why have school shootings increased so sharply? Experts cite multiple factors:
Increased gun availability: More firearms in circulation correlate with higher risks of violence.
Campus accessibility: Many schools remain “soft targets” with limited entry controls.
Social factors: Mental health crises, online radicalization, and bullying contribute to risk.
Copycat effect: High-profile events can inspire subsequent attackers.
The decline in 2020, followed by a dramatic rebound, shows how school attendance itself influences the count. With students at home during pandemic lockdowns, opportunities for on-campus violence plummeted. But once schools reopened, incidents surged to unprecedented levels.
Comparing K-12 and Higher Education
CNN’s methodology includes both K-12 schools and colleges, which makes its numbers larger than those of Education Week. For example, in 2022 CNN recorded 80 shootings, while EdWeek (K-12 only, injuries/deaths) counted 51. This difference highlights how college campuses, sports fields, and dormitories remain part of the school safety conversation.
Regional Patterns
School shootings are not evenly distributed across the country. States with large populations—Texas, Florida, and California—report more incidents simply due to size. But per capita rates are often higher in smaller states with fewer restrictions on firearms. Urban, suburban, and rural schools all face risks, though the type of incident differs:
Urban schools often see drive-by or parking lot shootings.
Suburban schools are more likely to experience mass-casualty events.
Rural schools sometimes report domestic or hunting-related incidents.
Impact on Students and Communities
The immediate tragedy of a school shooting is obvious, but the ripple effects last years:
Mental health toll: Students exposed to violence show higher rates of anxiety, PTSD, and academic decline.
Economic costs: Security upgrades, counseling, and lawsuits strain district budgets.
Community trauma: Parents and teachers often leave schools or districts after major incidents, destabilizing communities.
Policy Debates
Each new spike in the numbers reignites debates around prevention. Proposals range from stricter gun control to arming teachers, with little national consensus. Current approaches include:
Mental health investment (school counselors, hotlines, early intervention).
Threat assessment teams that track warning behaviors.
Legislative changes, such as red flag laws or safe storage requirements.
Despite these measures, the trend remains upward—suggesting that piecemeal solutions may not be enough.
Technology and Data
Organizations now track incidents in near real-time. Databases like CNN’s allow researchers, journalists, and policymakers to spot patterns and react faster. However, critics argue that the constant flow of statistics risks desensitizing the public, turning tragedies into mere data points.
How Parents and Schools Respond
Parents increasingly demand transparency from districts about security measures. Many schools now conduct lockdown drills, though some psychologists warn these can traumatize young children. Others have invested in anonymous reporting apps so students can flag threats. While these tools can prevent some attacks, they also reveal a grim reality: students are expected to prepare for violence as part of everyday life.
Media Coverage and Public Awareness
News outlets like CNN update their tallies regularly, ensuring the issue stays visible. At the same time, advocacy groups such as Everytown for Gun Safety publish broader datasets that keep attention on the scope of the crisis. Together, these sources push the topic into political campaigns, school board meetings, and parent discussions.
What the Future May Hold
If 2025 ends above 80 incidents, it will be the fourth consecutive year of record-high shootings. That trajectory suggests the U.S. is entering a new normal where annual totals exceed 80 or even 100. Unless substantial reforms occur, schools may continue to struggle with balancing education and security.
Conclusion
The story of school shootings since 2008 is one of escalation. While 2020 offered a temporary dip, subsequent years shattered records. Now in 2025, with 47 shootings by early September, America faces another grim milestone. The data show that school shootings are not rare anomalies but recurring events, deeply tied to broader issues of gun violence, social stress, and political inaction.
Until a coordinated strategy addresses root causes—access to firearms, mental health crises, and campus vulnerabilities—the numbers may continue their upward climb, leaving students, parents, and teachers to bear the consequences.
The Evergreen High School shooting in Colorado on September 10, 2025, marks yet another devastating reminder of the ongoing crisis of school violence in the United States. Located in Jefferson County, just west of Denver, Evergreen High School became the scene of an active shooter situation that left at least three individuals critically wounded. The community, the state, and the nation now grapple with the aftermath of a tragedy that raises painful questions about safety, preparedness, and the lingering shadow of Colorado’s history with school shootings.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of what happened in Evergreen, the immediate responses from law enforcement and government leaders, and the broader implications when compared to past incidents like Columbine and the STEM School Highlands Ranch shooting.
What We Know So Far
At approximately 12:40 p.m. MDT, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office received reports of an active assailant near Evergreen High School. Deputies and tactical units rushed to the scene, securing the school and surrounding neighborhoods. Early reports confirmed that two students were shot, but updated information later clarified that three people—including the suspect—were hospitalized in critical condition.
The victims were transported to CommonSpirit St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood, where emergency teams worked to stabilize them. The suspect, believed to be a teenager connected to the school, was also among the wounded. Authorities have not released the identity of the shooter, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.
Law enforcement urged parents not to rush directly to the school, a protocol now standard in active shooter situations to avoid chaos and allow emergency responders to secure the area. Parents and families were directed to a reunification site away from the school grounds, where counseling teams were also made available.
Law Enforcement and Government Response
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office declared the area an active crime scene and continued to sweep the premises for any potential threats. SWAT teams, K-9 units, and tactical vehicles were deployed as helicopters circled overhead.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis issued a statement expressing his concern and solidarity:
“I am closely monitoring the situation at Evergreen High School. Students should be able to attend school safely and without fear. We are all praying for the victims and the entire community.”
The governor confirmed that state troopers and additional law enforcement agencies were assisting in the investigation. Meanwhile, Evergreen School District officials announced that all area schools would be closed the following day, giving students and staff time to process the trauma.
Colorado’s Troubling Legacy of School Shootings
Colorado is no stranger to school violence. The Evergreen High School shooting immediately reignited painful memories of past tragedies that shaped the state’s—and the nation’s—conversation on school safety.
Columbine High School (1999)
Perhaps the most infamous school shooting in U.S. history, the Columbine massacre occurred just 16 miles from Evergreen. Two heavily armed students killed 13 people and injured more than 20 before taking their own lives. Columbine shocked the nation and remains a point of reference in discussions about gun control, bullying, and mental health awareness.
STEM School Highlands Ranch (2019)
Twenty years later, another Colorado community endured tragedy when two students carried out a shooting at the STEM School Highlands Ranch. One student, Kendrick Castillo, was killed while heroically tackling one of the gunmen. Eight others were injured. This shooting highlighted both the bravery of students and the gaps in preventive measures.
These incidents underscore Colorado’s enduring struggle with school violence and how communities continue to live in the shadow of such events.
How Evergreen Fits Into the Pattern
The Evergreen High School shooting shares troubling similarities with prior incidents:
Location: Suburban areas near Denver have repeatedly been targeted.
Age of Suspects: Most shooters have been young—students or former students.
Aftermath: Communities experience long-lasting trauma, with anniversaries of past shootings often resurfacing in the public consciousness.
Yet, Evergreen also stands apart because it took place in 2025, a time when schools had already implemented multiple security reforms—from locked doors and ID systems to drills and resource officers. Despite these measures, the tragedy illustrates that preventative strategies remain incomplete and reactive.
Community Impact and Healing
For Evergreen residents, the shooting is more than a headline—it is a direct disruption to their sense of safety. Parents rushed to pick up their children, terrified of the unknown. Students described hiding in classrooms, texting their families, and hearing the chaos unfold around them.
Local churches, community centers, and nonprofits have mobilized to provide counseling, vigils, and spaces for collective mourning. As seen after Columbine and STEM, community solidarity is one of the first steps toward recovery. Still, survivors of past tragedies warn that trauma lingers for years, requiring ongoing resources for mental health care and survivor support.
School Safety: What’s Being Done?
In recent years, Colorado schools have introduced a range of security protocols, including:
Active shooter drills at least twice per year.
Controlled entry points and secured doors during school hours.
School resource officers stationed on campuses.
Anonymous reporting apps like Safe2Tell, which allow students to report threats.
Despite these measures, Evergreen reveals the limits of security when firearms are still accessible to students. Lawmakers are once again debating whether stricter gun laws—such as safe storage requirements, background checks, and age restrictions—could reduce such tragedies.
National Implications
The Evergreen shooting is not just a Colorado story; it adds to the national debate over gun violence in schools. Every incident reignites the polarized debate between advocates for stricter gun control and those emphasizing mental health and personal responsibility.
According to the Gun Violence Archive, the number of school-related shootings in the U.S. has risen sharply since the pandemic years, with incidents recorded in both urban and suburban communities. Evergreen now joins that grim list, forcing Americans to confront uncomfortable questions:
Why do school shootings persist despite decades of reforms?
How can schools balance education with the constant fear of violence?
What role should lawmakers, educators, and parents play in shaping solutions?
Comparison Table: Colorado School Shootings
Incident
Date
Location
Fatalities
Injuries
Notes
Columbine High School
April 20, 1999
Littleton, CO
13 (+2 shooters)
20+
Landmark case that changed national policy on school security
STEM School Highlands Ranch
May 7, 2019
Highlands Ranch, CO
1
8
Student hero Kendrick Castillo tackled shooter
Evergreen High School
Sept 10, 2025
Evergreen, CO
0 (as of reports)
3 (including suspect)
Investigation ongoing; all wounded in critical condition
Looking Ahead
The Evergreen High School shooting is still under investigation, and many details—including the motive, background of the suspect, and how the weapon was obtained—remain unknown. Authorities will continue to release updates in the coming days, while families and community members focus on healing.
What is clear is that Evergreen joins a heartbreaking lineage of Colorado schools touched by gun violence. For students, teachers, and parents, safety cannot be taken for granted. As officials at every level debate solutions, one reality remains: each new shooting deepens the urgency to find lasting answers.
Conclusion
The Evergreen High School shooting in Colorado is a tragic reminder of the vulnerabilities that persist in American education. It connects directly to the painful legacy of Columbine and STEM while highlighting the inadequacy of current preventive measures.
As of September 10, 2025, three people remain in critical condition, and a community once known for its quiet mountain lifestyle is thrust into national headlines. Evergreen will mourn, heal, and rebuild, but like so many communities before it, it will never be the same.
The incident reinforces the urgency of conversations about gun safety, mental health, and the role of schools in protecting students. Until meaningful change occurs, each new shooting will remain not just a local tragedy but a national failure.
Every time a school goes into lockdown, parents, students, and teachers feel a wave of anxiety. The word “lockdown” triggers urgent texts, sirens, and fast-moving police responses. Yet in many cases, what initially seems like a credible threat turns out to be a false alarm or a hoax. The lockdown yesterday at Long Beach High School in Lido Beach, New York illustrates this tension: a phone threat sparked hours of disruption, only to end with an “all clear” and no evidence of real danger. This raises an important question: How often are school threats real, and how often are they pranks or false reports?
Understanding the Nature of School Threats
Threats against schools typically arrive in one of three ways:
Phone calls or emails — anonymous messages claiming danger on campus.
Social media posts — vague or direct threats that spread quickly among students.
In-person reports — tips, overheard conversations, or suspicious activity relayed to staff.
In each scenario, officials have little time to assess credibility. Because student safety is paramount, districts err on the side of caution and often initiate lockdowns immediately, even if evidence later shows there was no actual threat.
National Trends in False Alarms
According to the Educator’s School Safety Network, there are thousands of school threats reported in the United States every year, and a significant percentage prove to be non-credible. While reliable nationwide statistics are difficult to capture, researchers estimate that 70–80% of lockdowns result from threats that later turn out to be hoaxes, pranks, or misunderstandings (Washington Post).
These false reports range from teenagers making prank calls to sophisticated “swatting” attacks, where callers use technology to spoof numbers and trigger a heavy police response. Regardless of motive, the impact on schools is serious: lost instructional time, traumatized students, and strained law enforcement resources.
Comparison Table: False Alarms vs. Credible Threats
Year
Estimated Total Threat Reports (U.S.)
% False Alarms/Hoaxes
% Credible Threats*
Notes
2020
~4,500
72%
28%
Pandemic closures lowered school attendance, reducing threat volume
2021
~5,900
74%
26%
Surge in threats as schools reopened, many via TikTok/social media
2022
~7,100
78%
22%
National “swatting” wave triggered dozens of simultaneous lockdowns
2023
~7,800
77%
23%
FBI issued warnings about fake active shooter calls
2024
~8,200
75%
25%
Increase in anonymous online tips; most still unsubstantiated
*Credible threats = incidents where weapons, plots, or direct actionable plans were verified, not necessarily resulting in violence.
Key Insight: Over the past five years, roughly three out of four school threats have been confirmed as false alarms, pranks, or swatting calls, but each required a full lockdown response to ensure safety.
Why Students and Others Make False Threats
It’s tempting to dismiss hoaxes as childish pranks, but the motivations vary:
Desire to skip school — A common reason among high school students.
Attention-seeking — Using fear to gain notoriety.
Copycat behavior — Following other incidents in the news.
Disruption tactics — Sometimes tied to tests, events, or disciplinary avoidance.
Malicious intent — In rare cases, individuals may want to provoke chaos or test response systems.
While many threats are unserious in intent, schools and police cannot afford to assume that any threat is harmless. Every case must be treated as real until proven otherwise.
Case Study: Long Beach High School
The lockdown at Long Beach High School highlights how the process works in practice. At 7:48 a.m., a phone threat prompted the school to enter lockdown. Students sheltered in classrooms, police swarmed the area, and district officials activated communication systems. Hours later, no weapon or attacker was found, and the lockdown was lifted. The district then maintained lockout procedures—tightened exterior access—through the remainder of the day.
This incident fits a broader pattern: initial alarm, swift lockdown, careful police sweep, and eventual confirmation that no actual danger existed. The system worked, but it also disrupted hundreds of families and drained law enforcement resources for the day.
Impact on Students and Communities
Even if a threat turns out to be false, the psychological and operational impacts are very real:
Student Anxiety — Lockdowns, even drills, raise stress levels. Real or false, they can spark lasting worry among kids.
Instructional Disruption — Hours of teaching and learning are lost, sometimes across an entire district if nearby schools join the lockdown.
Community Fear — Parents often rush to schools, clogging traffic and creating additional safety risks.
Financial Cost — Police departments expend significant resources on responses, including SWAT teams, K-9 units, and overtime pay.
How Schools Differentiate Between Real Threats and False Alarms
Determining credibility is challenging, but law enforcement uses several tools:
Caller ID tracing and digital forensics to identify hoaxers.
Threat assessment teams that weigh language, context, and prior behavior.
Partnerships with the FBI and Department of Homeland Security when swatting patterns span multiple states (FBI.gov).
Post-incident analysis to improve drills, communications, and community response.
Still, in the first moments of a threat, schools rarely know whether it is credible. That’s why the default response is to secure the campus and treat it as real until proven otherwise.
False Alarms vs. Real Dangers
While most lockdowns are eventually classified as false alarms, real attacks do occur—and they’re devastating. The tragic events at schools in Uvalde, Parkland, and Sandy Hook demonstrate why no threat can ever be ignored.
The dilemma is balancing vigilance with the recognition that a majority of incidents are pranks or hoaxes. Unfortunately, there is no safe shortcut. It is better to endure a dozen false alarms than to ignore one real threat.
What Parents and Students Can Do
Take every lockdown seriously — Even if most end up being false alarms.
Avoid spreading rumors — Social media speculation worsens anxiety and spreads misinformation.
Trust official communications — Wait for verified updates from the school or police.
Talk with kids afterward — Reassure them, acknowledge their fears, and explain the safety systems in place.
Report concerning behavior — If a student overhears or sees something suspicious online, it should be reported immediately.
Community Costs of False Alarms
Every false alarm diverts resources from genuine emergencies. For police departments, repeated hoaxes can desensitize responders or drain budgets. For schools, constant lockdowns create an environment where education is repeatedly interrupted by fear.
Some states have begun passing laws imposing harsh penalties on students or others who make false threats, including criminal charges and restitution for the cost of emergency responses. The goal is deterrence—but the trend of school threats remains high.
Conclusion
So, how often are school threats and lockdowns false alarms or pranks? The answer is most of the time—estimates suggest up to three-quarters of threats prove unfounded. Yet schools and police cannot gamble on credibility in the moment. Yesterday’s lockdown at Long Beach High School was just one of many examples where a disruptive hoax triggered real emergency protocols.
The challenge for communities is twofold: keep students safe while minimizing fear and disruption. As technology improves, authorities are becoming more adept at tracing false reports and holding perpetrators accountable. Until then, every call, text, or social media post must be treated as real—because one day, it might be.
School safety has become one of the most pressing concerns for parents, educators, and policymakers. Alyssa’s Law, named after Alyssa Alhadeff, a 14-year-old victim of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida, was created to ensure schools are better prepared to respond to emergencies. The law requires schools to install silent panic alarms directly linked to law enforcement, enabling rapid response during life-threatening situations.
As more states adopt and enforce Alyssa’s Law, compliance has become a major priority for school districts across the United States. This article explores what Alyssa’s Law is, why compliance matters, the current status of adoption, and practical steps schools can take to meet requirements.
School safety has become one of the most pressing issues in the United States. From everyday incidents like bullying and vandalism to more severe threats such as fights, intrusions, or potential acts of violence, administrators are under increasing pressure to provide a safe learning environment. While security cameras and resource officers are part of the equation, real-time communication and proactive reporting are the missing pieces.
That’s where the SaferWatch App comes in. Designed as a digital safety network, SaferWatch empowers students, parents, staff, and even community members to report suspicious activity, submit anonymous tips, and receive instant alerts. With its focus on prevention and rapid response, the app has become a vital tool for schools and municipalities looking to strengthen public safety.
