8 Devastating School Shootings That Shook the World
The tragedy of school shootings continues to haunt societies around the world.
This is probably the first incident that comes to most people’s minds.
On April 20, 1999, two students, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, carried out a planned attack at Columbine High School, killing 12 students and one teacher.
Columbine wasn’t the first school shooting in the U.S., but it’s arguably the one that captured the nation’s attention and shaped school security measures for years to come.
On April 16, 2007, Seung-Hui Cho, a senior at Virginia Tech, shot and killed 32 people before taking his own life, marking the deadliest school shooting in U.S. history.
Cho’s rampage spread across two campus buildings and lasted for several hours, raising questions about how campuses handle emergency situations.
Sandy Hook remains one of the most heartbreaking incidents in recent memory.
On December 14, 2012, Adam Lanza entered the elementary school and killed 20 children between six and seven years old, along with six staff members.
This horrific event reignited fierce debates on gun control, with many calling for stricter laws to prevent another tragedy of this scale.
Valentine’s Day 2018 turned into a nightmare at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School when 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz opened fire, killing 17 people.
This incident not only sparked nationwide protests and school walkouts but also gave rise to the "March for Our Lives" movement, where students demanded stronger gun laws.
A few months after Parkland, another school shooting rocked the U.S.
On May 18, 2018, a student opened fire at Santa Fe High School, killing 10 people and injuring 13.
It’s been largely overshadowed by other shootings, but it added to the ongoing conversation about school safety.
In 2015, a gunman walked into his writing class at Umpqua Community College and opened fire, killing nine people and wounding eight others before taking his own life.
The shooter reportedly targeted students based on their religious beliefs, and this event further intensified the debates on gun violence and mental health.
On March 21, 2005, 16-year-old Jeffrey Weise killed his grandfather and his grandfather’s girlfriend before heading to Red Lake Senior High School, where he shot nine more people.
Weise's motive was never fully understood, but it was a tragic reminder that school shootings can occur in even the most remote areas.
This lesser-known school shooting occurred at a small Christian college in Oakland, California.
On April 2, 2012, a former student opened fire on campus, killing seven people.
Though it didn’t receive as much media attention as other shootings, it was a shocking event that demonstrated the far-reaching nature of school violence.
Each of these tragedies has left an indelible mark on society, sparking debates on gun control, mental health, and school safety.
The constant cycle of violence, grief, and calls for change continues, reminding us all that this issue remains as urgent as ever.
School should be a safe space for learning, not a place where students fear for their lives.
With conversations around gun violence and mental health on the rise, it’s hard to ignore the devastating events that have changed how we view safety in schools.
Here’s a look back at some of the most infamous school shootings in history.
Here’s a look back at some of the most infamous school shootings in history.
1. Columbine High School – Littleton, Colorado (1999)
On April 20, 1999, two students, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, carried out a planned attack at Columbine High School, killing 12 students and one teacher.
Columbine wasn’t the first school shooting in the U.S., but it’s arguably the one that captured the nation’s attention and shaped school security measures for years to come.
2. Virginia Tech – Blacksburg, Virginia (2007)
Cho’s rampage spread across two campus buildings and lasted for several hours, raising questions about how campuses handle emergency situations.
3. Sandy Hook Elementary – Newtown, Connecticut (2012)
On December 14, 2012, Adam Lanza entered the elementary school and killed 20 children between six and seven years old, along with six staff members.
This horrific event reignited fierce debates on gun control, with many calling for stricter laws to prevent another tragedy of this scale.
4. Parkland – Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Parkland, Florida (2018)
This incident not only sparked nationwide protests and school walkouts but also gave rise to the "March for Our Lives" movement, where students demanded stronger gun laws.
5. Santa Fe High School – Santa Fe, Texas (2018)
On May 18, 2018, a student opened fire at Santa Fe High School, killing 10 people and injuring 13.
It’s been largely overshadowed by other shootings, but it added to the ongoing conversation about school safety.
6. Umpqua Community College – Roseburg, Oregon (2015)
The shooter reportedly targeted students based on their religious beliefs, and this event further intensified the debates on gun violence and mental health.
7. Red Lake Senior High School – Red Lake, Minnesota (2005)
Weise's motive was never fully understood, but it was a tragic reminder that school shootings can occur in even the most remote areas.
8. Oikos University – Oakland, California (2012)
On April 2, 2012, a former student opened fire on campus, killing seven people.
Though it didn’t receive as much media attention as other shootings, it was a shocking event that demonstrated the far-reaching nature of school violence.
Each of these tragedies has left an indelible mark on society, sparking debates on gun control, mental health, and school safety.
The constant cycle of violence, grief, and calls for change continues, reminding us all that this issue remains as urgent as ever.
School should be a safe space for learning, not a place where students fear for their lives.