Are School Shootings Preventable?

Hello Friends,

Unfortunately, this month's topic is a bit grim, but something, especially for those of us that are parents, we must discuss. Our topic: school shootings.

The first thing we need to know is that school shootings are not new. In the U.S., they date back to 1840 when a student at the University of Virginia shot a professor. The professor died three days later.

What is new about school shootings is that they occur so much more frequently today, and the attacks are so much more random.

In the late 1800s, there were school shootings every few years. Often, they involved a student upset with a teacher, just like the one in Virginia. 

While not always fatal, by the 1970s, school shootings were happening just about every year. Further, all too often, they were random attacks. Gunned down were students or staff that just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Another thing we need to know about school shootings is, according to a recent report by the U.S. Secret Service, they are often preventable. The story of Joshua O'Connor of Everett, Washington, is a perfect example.

His grandmother just happened to read O'Connor's journal, and it's a good thing she did. In the journal, he wrote about how he wanted to become famous by attacking students and teachers at his high school. "I need to get the biggest fatality number I possibly can," he wrote.

When his grandmother read this, she called the police. Summoned to his home, they found a Hi-Point 9mm carbine rifle in his bedroom, the same model used in the 1999 shooting at Columbine High School in Colorado.

Writing about plans to carry out an attack at his school is just one of many warning signs that need to be heeded. Among others, according to the Secret Service report are the following:

·     A person telling friends about their attack plans, even going so far as giving dates and times of the attack.

·     Someone fascinated with past violent school attacks and sharing their fascination with others.

·     Somebody displaying suicidal thoughts or harassing behavior. According to the analysis, nearly half of the plotters were considered bullies in their schools.

·     A student who, like O’Connor, describes feeling mistreated by peers and signals an intent to seek revenge.

What the study also tells us, is that while most of these school shootings appear to be impulsive acts, the student attacker may very likely have been planning the attack – and providing warning signs about it – for weeks if not months before it took place.

At TAL Global, we are increasingly concerned that school shootings may increase in the future. This does not appear to be a situation that is going away anytime soon.

We are now working with educational facilities around the country, providing them with risk assessments, and helping them to be mindful of the warning signs. We are helping school administrators recognize behavior patterns to help identify those planning an attack and stop them before they strike.

As always, we value your feedback, which helps us shape our perspective on recent events, security, and the services we offer.

Stay safe,

Johnathan Tal

Chief Executive Officer

TAL Global

O: 1-408-993-1300

[email protected]