More than 31,000 children have been affected by shootings during school hours this year in the United States, The Washington Post reported on Wednesday, citing its School Shooting Tracker.
While school shootings remain relatively rare, the report noted a troubling trend: guns are brought to school nearly every day. Since the start of the year, 13 people have been killed in school shootings, including a teenage student and a teacher at Abundant Life Christian School on Monday. Almost 50 others were shot but survived.
Altogether, 21 states have experienced school shootings this year, highlighting the widespread nature of this issue.
Since the Columbine High massacre on April 20, 1999, which resulted in the deaths of 12 students and one teacher, there have been 426 school shootings in the United States. In these incidents, 215 people, including children and educators, have been killed, and almost 500 others have been wounded.
The report also sheds light on the sources of firearms used in these tragedies. In cases where the source of the gun could be determined, 86 percent originated from the homes of friends, relatives, or parents.
“More than half of school shootings in the United States were carried out by children, none of which would be possible if those children didn’t have access to firearms,” noted the report.
Reference(s):
31,000 children affected by 2024 U.S. school shootings in 21 states
cgtn.com