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:
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CNN’s Database includes shootings on K-12 and college campuses that result in injury or death.
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Everytown for Gun Safety takes a broader view, counting any incident where a firearm discharges on school property, even without casualties.
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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:
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2015 – 37 shootings
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2016 – 51 shootings
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2017 – 42 shootings
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2018 – 44 shootings
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2019 – 52 shootings
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2020 – 22 shootings (COVID-19 closures reduced incidents dramatically)
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2021 – 74 shootings
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2022 – 80 shootings
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2023 – 82 shootings
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2024 – 83 shootings (the highest on record)
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2025 (YTD) – 47 shootings as of September 10
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:
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By September of 2019, the U.S. had fewer than 40.
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By September of 2022, the total was near 50, eventually reaching 80 by year’s end.
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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:
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Increased gun availability: More firearms in circulation correlate with higher risks of violence.
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Campus accessibility: Many schools remain “soft targets” with limited entry controls.
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Social factors: Mental health crises, online radicalization, and bullying contribute to risk.
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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:
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Urban schools often see drive-by or parking lot shootings.
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Suburban schools are more likely to experience mass-casualty events.
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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:
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Mental health toll: Students exposed to violence show higher rates of anxiety, PTSD, and academic decline.
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Economic costs: Security upgrades, counseling, and lawsuits strain district budgets.
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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:
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Hardened security (metal detectors, cameras, single-point entry).
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Mental health investment (school counselors, hotlines, early intervention).
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Threat assessment teams that track warning behaviors.
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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.
