School Shooting, Are Schools Really Safe?

On May 25th, a tragic shooting occurred at Robb Elementary School in South Texas, killing two adults and 19 children. Salvador Ramos, an 18-year-old gunman, was suspected of being a high school student in the surrounding area.

According to Erick Estrada of the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), speaking to CNN, a Uvalde school district police officer mentioned Ramos emerging from the vehicle with a rifle and body armor on. Texas DPS has now revealed that the door was closed but unlocked, allowing the gunman to easily enter the school.

The officer was unable to stop Ramos, the gunman, and was forced to call for backup, at which point the shooting began. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, waiting for backup was the “wrong decision,” resulting in the deaths of 19 children and two teachers until one of the officials from the US Border Patrol – a federal agency that guards US ports of entry – rushed into the school and killed the gunman.

“I am sick and tired of it. We must act. And don’t tell me we can’t have an impact on this carnage,” says Biden, “What in God’s name do you need an assault weapon for except to kill someone?” he remarks.

“Here’s what else I know: Most Americans support commonsense laws – commonsense gun laws. What struck me was these kinds of shootings rarely happen anywhere else in the world,” Biden continues, “It’s time – for those who obstruct or delay or block the commonsense gun laws, we need to let you know that we will not forget.”

Many other city councils convened in response to the Texas tragedy to strengthen or change school policies. Middletown, New Jersey, is now seen as the most recent district to take steps toward strengthening school safety policies for both teachers and students. – by hiring retired law enforcement officers; off-duty police officers will be replaced beginning in September, which is welcomed by parents who want to send their children to school without worrying about what might happen. Some argue that this is insufficient; creating access passwords and door keys are also required to distinguish visitors.

Arkansas legislators debated how to prevent school shootings and ensure student safety. According to KARK, only 20% of campuses have SRO, indicating the need to consolidate the policy to establish SRO.

Other ideas included equipping classroom doors with locks that can be locked from the inside, requiring visitors to sign in or check in and wear badges for identification, granting access to school buildings during school hours, and renovating campuses with a single-entry point for main campus buildings, among others.

The Medford School District (MSD) also held an executive session to discuss the plans for the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas. MSD reported that in extreme cases, students are being trained in schools on how to deal with an active shooter.

“It’s not just about buildings and protocols and training – though those are all important,” Karen Starchvick says. “I’ve been reminded, especially this week, that the majority of high school shooters are bullied. It speaks to the importance of relationships and the power of knowing every child by name.”

Another unforgettable tragedy associated with a bullied gunman is brought up – the Virginia Tech Massacre – Cho, a 23-year-old student slaughtering 32 people before taking his own life. Chris Davids, a Virginia Tech student who attended the same high school as Cho, claimed Cho was bullied. “As soon as he began reading, the entire class began laughing and pointing and saying, ‘Go back to China,'” he recalled.

According to NBC News, Cho sent a package that included a 1,800-word statement filled with complex emotions such as resentment, extreme anger, and a desire to exact revenge. “I didn’t have to do this. I could have left. I could have fled. But no, I will no longer run. It’s not for me.” wrote Cho.

According to CNN Health, the killers suffered from depression, were bullied, harassed, and even ignored at school. According to Jack Levin, a professor of sociology and criminology at Northeastern University, most of the killers lacked social interaction, having no one to turn to or talk to when they were going through a difficult time, so they were mostly alone.

This year alone, 27 school shooting have occurred, causing widespread concern across the country. Knowing that many gunfire shooters were either bullied or were mentally unstable, school districts should now pay close attention to ensure that no children are left behind, with mental health care support to prevent what will happen in the future – before another tragedy occurs. The shooting, of course, do not excuse their mental instability.

 

Read more: College Students’ Depression Has Worsened; Here Are Some Solutions.