Killers on Campus

Abstract

More mass public shootings occur in the United States than anywhere else in the world, and these incidents occur in a variety of locations, including educational facilities. There is strong reason to separate elementary, middle, and high schools from institutes of higher education (such as colleges and universities) when studying mass school shootings. These incidents vary based on the type of school by the characteristics and motivations of the shooter as well as locational characteristics and appropriate prevention strategies. This chapter provides an overview of the differences between mass shootings at K-12 schools and those at IHEs. The authors also discuss the prevalence and characteristics of mass shootings at IHEs and introduce several prevention policies, along with relevant proposed and current legislation.