The document summarizes key findings from a 2002 US Secret Service study on school violence incidents between 1974 and 2000. Some of the main points are: 1) There is no single profile of attackers, who varied in family background, age, ethnicity, school performance, and social activities. 2) Many attackers felt bullied or injured by others prior to the attack. 3) The attacks were rarely sudden or impulsive, with most attackers planning the violence at least a month in advance.

1. School violence (targeted violence)
2002 US Secret Service Safe School Initiative
1974 -2000 37 incidents 41 people
1. There is no “profile”
• Different family background (63% 2 parent families)
• Ages (11-21)
• Ethnically diverse (3/4 were white),
• most doing well in school
• varied relationships (41% appeared to be mainstream, 1/3
characterized as loners, 44% involved with social
activities
• varied previous trouble (63% had never been or were
rarely in trouble at school)

2. 2. Many attackers felt bullied, persecuted or injured
by others before the attack. (71%)
Several cases long standing and severe to the point of torment
3. Targeted violence at school is rarely sudden or
impulsive
93% planned attack
51% planned at least 1 month before attack
Motive (54% had multiple motives)
61% Revenge
34% solve a problem
27% suicide or depression
24 % attention/recognition
81% grievance (complaint) against target or other

3. 4. No prevalent history of substance abuse, mental
health evaluation, or diagnosis of a mental
disorder.
• 78% exhibited a history of suicide attempts or thoughts
• 61% documented feeling extremely depressed or desperate
5. 59% demonstrated interest in violence through
media but no common area
6. Most attackers had no history of prior violent or
criminal behavior
31% acted violently towards others before attack

4. 7. Difficulty coping with loss
98% experienced or perceived a loss prior to attack
66% perceived failure or loss of status
51% loss of loved one or sig. relationship
8. Others new about the attacker’s idea/plan
81% at least one person knew
59% more than one person knew
9. In many cases, other students were involved in the
attack in some capacity
44% influenced, encouraged or dared
others assisted with weapons, ammunition, or planning

5. 10. Most attackers did not threaten their targets prior to
the attack
17% did threaten
11. 93% did something before the attack that raised
concern or indicated a need for help.
Expressed interest in killing
Excessive interest in guns
Attempted to get guns
Essays/poems written
Talked of plan

6. 12. Most attackers had prior experience with weapons
63% known history of weapons use
44% showed excessive interest in weapons
68% acquired guns from their home or a relative’s
13. Most attacks ended before police arrived
27% ended by administrators, faculty, or staff
5% ended by other students
22% attacker stopped on own and left
13% attacker killed himself
27% stopped by law enforcement
3 cases officers fired weapons
Time
47% lasted 15 minutes or less
27% within 5 minutes