Campus Shootings in US 2025 | Statistics & Facts

Campus Shooting Incidents in America 2025

The landscape of campus safety in the United States continues to face unprecedented challenges as shooting incidents remain a persistent concern across educational institutions in 2025. From elementary schools to prestigious universities, no educational setting appears immune to the threat of gun violence. The data reveals a complex picture where multiple tracking organizations report varying numbers based on different methodologies, yet all sources confirm that campus shootings represent a significant public safety crisis affecting students, faculty, and entire communities nationwide.

Campus shooting incidents in 2025 have sparked renewed debates about gun control policies, campus security measures, and mental health resources. According to comprehensive tracking databases, there have been at least 75 school shootings across the United States as of December 13, 2025, with 43 incidents occurring on college campuses and 32 on K-12 school grounds. These incidents have resulted in at least 31 people dead and more than 100 victims injured, representing countless shattered families and traumatized communities. The frequency of these events has forced educational institutions to implement increasingly sophisticated security protocols while students and educators grapple with the psychological impact of learning and working in environments where active shooter drills have become routine.

Key Stats & Facts About Campus Shooting Incidents in the US 2025

Data sources: CNN analysis of Gun Violence Archive, Education Week, Everytown for Gun Safety, K-12 School Shooting Database, National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

The statistics for campus shooting incidents in the United States in 2025 paint a sobering picture of the ongoing gun violence crisis affecting educational institutions. The 75 school shootings recorded as of mid-December represent a significant public safety challenge, with 43 college campus incidents demonstrating that higher education institutions face substantial risks alongside K-12 schools. The discrepancy between different tracking organizations highlights the complexity of defining and counting these incidents, with the K-12 School Shooting Database’s broader criteria capturing 209 incidents that include any instance where a firearm was brandished or fired on school property.

The human toll extends far beyond the numbers, with 31 deaths and over 100 injuries representing individuals whose lives were forever altered by gun violence. The 391 mass shootings and 13,929 total shooting deaths across all locations in the United States during 2025 underscore that campus incidents are part of a larger national epidemic. The long-term data from Everytown for Gun Safety showing 418 gunfire incidents on college campuses between 2013 and 2025 across 44 states reveals the geographic spread and persistent nature of this crisis. These figures demand urgent attention from policymakers, educational leaders, and communities working to restore safety to learning environments.

School Shooting Statistics Comparison in the US 2025

Data sources: K-12 School Shooting Database, Everytown for Gun Safety, CNN, Education Week, Mother Jones

The variation in reported campus shooting incidents in the United States in 2025 demonstrates how definition criteria dramatically impact statistical reporting. The K-12 School Shooting Database records the highest count at 209 incidents because it uses the broadest definition, capturing every instance where a firearm was present on school property, regardless of whether shots were fired or anyone was injured. This comprehensive approach provides valuable insight into the full scope of gun-related threats in educational settings, including situations that could have escalated but were intercepted.

Everytown for Gun Safety reports 141 incidents by focusing specifically on cases where firearms were discharged, while CNN’s analysis identifies 75 total school shootings by requiring at least one person to be shot. Education Week applies the strictest criteria, counting only 17 incidents that resulted in actual casualties, which helps identify the most severe events requiring immediate crisis response. The Mother Jones database reported zero incidents in 2025 using their definition requiring four or more deaths, though this doesn’t diminish the severity of individual tragedies. Understanding these methodological differences is essential for policymakers and educators developing targeted prevention strategies and allocating resources effectively to address campus safety concerns across the United States.

Major College Campus Shooting Incidents in the US 2025

Data sources: CNN, PBS News, Associated Press, Everytown for Gun Safety, BestColleges

The major college campus shooting incidents in the United States in 2025 represent tragic milestones that have shaken higher education communities nationwide. The Brown University shooting on December 13, 2025, remains an active investigation with 2 students killed and 9 others wounded during finals week, marking Rhode Island’s first school shooting since tracking began in 2008. This incident forced hundreds of students into lockdown for over 13 hours, with many hiding in basements and library hallways while authorities conducted an extensive manhunt for the suspect.

The Florida State University shooting in April 2025 resulted in 2 deaths and 6 injuries, with a 21-year-old suspect facing multiple murder and attempted murder charges. At Utah Valley University in September 2025, conservative activist Charlie Kirk was killed during a campus speaking event, with prosecutors seeking the death penalty against the accused shooter. The broader context from Everytown for Gun Safety reveals that between 2013 and 2025, college campuses experienced 418 gunfire incidents across 44 states, resulting in 114 deaths and 312 injuries excluding mass shootings. These incidents encompass various scenarios including targeted attacks, unintentional discharges, and domestic violence that spilled onto campus, demonstrating the complex nature of gun violence in higher education settings and the urgent need for comprehensive prevention strategies.

K-12 School Shooting Distribution in the US 2025

Data sources: K-12 School Shooting Database, Omnilert analysis

The geographic distribution of K-12 school shooting incidents in the United States in 2025 reveals significant regional patterns and exposure disparities across states. Texas leads with 19 incidents, followed closely by California with 17 incidents and Tennessee with 13 incidents, demonstrating that high-population states continue to experience the greatest absolute numbers of school shootings. However, when examining student exposure rates—which measure how many students per 100,000 are affected—Delaware, Washington DC, and Utah had the highest rates during the 2020-2024 measurement period, indicating that smaller states can experience disproportionate impacts relative to their student populations.

The regional analysis shows school shootings are concentrated in areas with higher populations, occurring at elevated rates in Southern and Mid-Atlantic states. California stands as a notable outlier in the Western region for state-wide school shooting incidents in 2025, with the Seattle metropolitan area also recording several incidents. Remarkably, 11 states—Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, Alaska, Iowa, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and West Virginia—reported zero incidents where guns were brought to or fired on K-12 school campuses in 2025. This geographic variation suggests that local factors including gun laws, community violence intervention programs, and security measures may influence incident rates, though researchers caution against drawing direct causal relationships without comprehensive analysis of multiple variables affecting school safety across different regions.

Deadliest School Shooting Incident in the US 2025

Data sources: Al Jazeera, Omnilert, Minneapolis Police Department reports

The August 27, 2025 shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and Elementary School in Minneapolis stands as the deadliest single school shooting incident in the United States for 2025, surpassing all other campus attacks in victim count. The tragedy unfolded during morning mass when 23-year-old Robin Westman, a former student of the school, opened fire with three firearms, discharging dozens of rounds into the congregation that included students, parents, and church members. The attack claimed the lives of 2 children and wounded between 17 to 29 people, with varying reports on the total injury count due to the chaotic nature of the incident and different classifications of injuries.

This incident represents the single deadliest school shooting since the Robb Elementary School massacre in Uvalde, Texas in 2022, where 19 students and 2 teachers were killed. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed that Westman took his own life at the rear of the church after the rampage, ending the active threat but leaving a community devastated. Investigators determined the attack was motivated by hate and a glorification of past school shooters, with former classmates reporting they had witnessed concerning behavior from the shooter prior to the incident. This tragedy underscored critical gaps in community violence intervention and the need for improved mental health resources, as Westman had experienced documented mental health issues that went unaddressed. The incident occurred just as students were returning to schools after summer break, amplifying the fear and trauma experienced by families throughout the Minneapolis area and raising urgent questions about threat assessment protocols and early intervention programs.

School Shooting Trends Comparison in the US 2024-2025

Data sources: K-12 School Shooting Database, Campus Safety Magazine

The comparison of school shooting trends in the United States between 2024-2025 and previous years reveals encouraging signs of progress alongside ongoing concerns. The 2024-2025 academic year recorded 254 incidents, representing a significant 23% decrease from the average of nearly 330 incidents per year during the preceding three school years. This decline extends into the 2025 calendar year, offering cautious optimism to educators, students, and families who have endured years of heightened anxiety about campus safety. High-profile active shooter and mass shooting incidents remained relatively low during the 2024-2025 school year, particularly during spring months when such events have historically surged.

Despite this positive trend, the current rate of 254 incidents still represents more than double the number of school shootings that occurred 25 years ago (approximately 100-120 incidents annually), demonstrating that while recent decreases are encouraging, the United States continues to face a campus gun violence problem far exceeding historical norms. The decline aligns with a broader national trend of reduced violent crime and may result from schools strengthening safety measures through threat assessment programs, enhanced security systems, early intervention programs, and improved social-emotional support for students. However, safety experts have raised concerns about threats to sustained progress, particularly with the cancellation of $1 billion in federal student mental health grants, which play a critical role in addressing youth mental health crises and preventing potential incidents. The data underscores that while progress has been made, maintaining and expanding evidence-based prevention programs remains essential to continuing the downward trend in campus shooting incidents.

Campus Crime Statistics in the US 2021

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), Clery Act data for calendar year 2021

The most recent comprehensive campus crime statistics in the United States from 2021 provide critical context for understanding the broader safety environment in which shooting incidents occur. The Clery Act requires degree-granting postsecondary institutions to report campus crime data annually, and in 2021, a total of 23,400 criminal incidents were reported across American colleges and universities, translating to 16.9 on-campus crimes per 10,000 full-time-equivalent (FTE) students enrolled. This overall rate was lower in 2021 than in 2011 (16.9 vs. 20.0), though it showed a 12% increase between 2020 and 2021 as students returned to campuses following pandemic-related closures.

Forcible sex offenses emerged as the most frequently reported crime category, accounting for 10,400 incidents (44% of all reported crimes) at a rate of 7.5 per 10,000 FTE students. This category surpassed burglaries, which totaled 6,500 incidents (28%), as the most common on-campus crime. Motor vehicle thefts accounted for 3,500 incidents (15%), while aggravated assaults represented 2,100 incidents (9%). The relatively lower numbers of robberies (500 incidents) and arson (400 incidents) each comprised just 2% of reported crimes. Additionally, 667 hate crimes were documented, representing 3% of all criminal incidents and highlighting ongoing concerns about bias-motivated violence on college campuses. These statistics underscore that while shooting incidents capture significant public attention due to their severity, campus safety requires comprehensive approaches addressing multiple forms of violence and criminal activity affecting students, faculty, and staff throughout the academic year.

Student Safety Concerns and Policy Preferences in the US 2025

Data sources: BestColleges survey, CDC, National Survey of Children’s Exposure to Violence

Student perspectives on campus safety in the United States in 2025 reveal widespread concern about gun violence and strong support for policy interventions. A BestColleges survey found that 65% of college students reported that school shootings specifically made them concerned for their safety on campus, demonstrating the psychological impact of high-profile incidents even on students who have not directly experienced violence. This anxiety affects daily campus life, with students reporting heightened vigilance during routine activities and increased stress during events that draw large crowds.

A clear majority of 63% of students stated that stricter gun laws would make them feel safer, and an equal percentage favored stricter campus gun policies specifically. This student sentiment influenced political participation, with gun policy and control ranking among the top voting issues for college students in the 2024 presidential election, demonstrating how campus safety concerns extend beyond individual institutions to shape broader civic engagement. The data also reveals concerning trends in violence reporting and exposure: according to CDC and National Survey data, an estimated 3 million children in the United States are exposed to shootings per year, with firearms representing the leading cause of death for children and teens. The underreporting of campus violence remains significant, particularly for sexual assaults where officially reported incidents represent only a minority of actual occurrences. These statistics underscore that student safety concerns are well-founded and that comprehensive policy responses must address both gun violence prevention and support services for students navigating educational environments marked by persistent security threats.

Historical Mass Shooting Incidents at US Colleges

Data sources: BestColleges, Associated Press, PBS News, historical records

The historical record of mass shooting incidents at United States colleges reveals a disturbing pattern of escalating violence over six decades. The Virginia Tech massacre on April 16, 2007 remains the deadliest college shooting on record, with a 23-year-old student killing 32 people and wounding at least 23 others on the Blacksburg, Virginia campus before taking his own life. This tragedy fundamentally transformed campus security protocols nationwide and sparked intense debates about gun violence prevention, mental health services, and emergency response systems.

The University of Texas tower shooting in 1966 represents one of America’s first mass shootings, when a Marine-trained sniper opened fire from the 27-story clock tower, killing 13 people and wounding more than 30 before being killed by authorities. This incident established many of the active shooter response protocols still used today. Other significant incidents include the Northern Illinois University shooting in 2008 (5 deaths, 20+ wounded), the University of Iowa shooting in 1991 (5 deaths), and the Umpqua Community College shooting in 2015 (9 deaths, 9 wounded). The more recent UNLV shooting in December 2023 (3 faculty members killed) involved a 67-year-old former business professor whose teaching applications had been rejected, highlighting how grievances against institutions can motivate attacks. Collectively, there have been 17 mass shootings at US colleges involving three or more fatalities over several decades, with each incident leaving lasting trauma on campus communities and contributing to ongoing national conversations about how to prevent future tragedies while maintaining open, accessible educational environments.

Gun Violence Prevention and Campus Safety Measures in the US 2025

Data sources: Campus Safety Magazine, Giffords Law Center, Johns Hopkins University research, BestColleges

Gun violence prevention and campus safety measures in the United States in 2025 represent a multi-layered approach combining physical security, mental health support, and policy interventions. Schools have strengthened safety measures through threat assessment programs that identify students exhibiting warning signs, enhanced security systems including surveillance cameras and controlled access points, and early intervention programs that connect at-risk students with support services. Research from Johns Hopkins University found that policies allowing guns on campus do not reduce mass shootings and that gun access substantially increases the risk of suicide among young adults, suggesting that restrictive campus carry policies may enhance rather than compromise safety.

The cancellation of $1 billion in federal student mental health grants by the Trump administration in 2025 has raised serious concerns among safety experts about threats to sustained progress in reducing campus violence. These grants, bolstered by the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022, played a critical role in addressing the mental health crisis among youth and preventing potential incidents through early identification and treatment. Emergency notification systems have become standard protocol, enabling institutions to rapidly alert campus communities during active threats, as demonstrated during the Brown University incident where 11 alerts were issued over 13 hours. However, the effectiveness of active shooter drills remains controversial, with some research suggesting they may increase anxiety without meaningfully improving survival outcomes. Comprehensive prevention strategies must prioritize investments in security infrastructure, conflict resolution programs, and mental health resources while fostering open communication between students, parents, and staff to identify warning signs. The decline in school shootings during the 2024-2025 academic year suggests that evidence-based interventions can reduce violence, but sustained commitment and adequate funding remain essential to protecting educational communities.

National Gun Violence Context in the US 2025

Data sources: Gun Violence Archive, CDC National Center for Health Statistics, National Survey of Children’s Exposure to Violence

The campus shooting incidents in the United States in 2025 must be understood within the broader context of a national gun violence epidemic that affects communities far beyond educational settings. As of December 2025, the Gun Violence Archive documented at least 391 mass shootings and 13,929 total shooting deaths across all locations in the United States. These staggering numbers demonstrate that school shootings, while particularly tragic and high-profile, represent only a fraction of the gun violence affecting American society. Each statistic represents a shattered family, a traumatized community, and another generation learning too early how to survive gunfire.

The impact on children and adolescents is particularly severe, with over 4,300 children and teens shot and killed annually, making firearms the leading cause of death for this age group according to CDC data. An estimated 3 million children in the United States are exposed to shootings each year, either directly witnessing violence or experiencing its aftermath in their communities. When compared internationally, the United States overwhelmingly has the highest number of school shootings in the world, with other developed nations like Japan, Australia, the United Kingdom, and South Korea experiencing such incidents rarely if at all. This stark disparity underscores that America’s campus gun violence problem is part of a uniquely American crisis shaped by permissive gun laws, inadequate mental health systems, and cultural factors that distinguish the United States from peer nations. Addressing campus shootings effectively requires confronting these systemic issues rather than treating school violence as an isolated phenomenon separate from the broader epidemic of gun violence affecting American communities nationwide.

Disclaimer: This research report is compiled from publicly available sources. While reasonable efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, no representation or warranty, express or implied, is given as to the completeness or reliability of the information. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions, losses, or damages of any kind arising from the use of this report.

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