There have been over 1,676 deaths because of school shootings since 2000 in the United States. More than 338,000 students have experienced school shootings since 1999. School shootings shouldn’t be normalized because nothing about them is normal. In the year 2023, there have been 349 shootings. There is violence, trauma, and getting to know the backstory of the shooters.  

In school shootings, there is a lot of violence, weapons, blood, screams, and more terrifying things. Most of the school shootings happen with a gun. Each day, around 12 children die from gun violence, and at least 32 are shot and injured. This happens daily in the United States. In 2023, Michigan State University was shot up; 3 students died, and 5 wounded. “ I think since I am a kid in a school, they should resolve this to make it not so normalized,” Neriman Zughayar claims.

In most school shootings, there is usually one shooter. 39.6 percent of shootings ended with the shooter running away from the field. 35.5 percent were captured and taken into custody. Usually, the shooter is one of the students of the school. They do this due to an argument, bullying, targeted victim, and illegal activity. Hussien Bazzi claims, “People should be more kind and caring to others so this happens less often.” 62 percent of all school shootings happen in High School. This shows how High School students aren’t so warmhearted; they say think before speaking. “Keep things to yourself, and if you have something bad to say, dont say it.” Hussein Bazzi mentioned. 

Trauma is a major part of school shootings. 234 of the school shootings happened in a classroom full of students. Laila Salman, who was in the Michigan State University school shooting, claimed, “I was terrified, I had to hide under my dorm bed.” Students go to school to learn; they shouldn’t be going to school with a heavy heart, thinking if could be their last day. Students and staff are likely to suffer traumatic stress after a school attack. Students will not forgot something this traumtic, they could remember it for the rest of their lifes. 

In conclusion, school shootings are cruel. Everyone has a role to prevent school shootings. It’s as simple as being kinder to students and looking out for all students. Shootings are violent and traumatic. Shooters also have a backstory as well; this is why it’s important to check up on people.

By: Maha Almemar