how often does a school shooting happen in america

A school shooting in America happens on average about 18 times per year when considering shootings that injure or kill at least one person on school grounds. More broadly, if all incidents involving guns on school property are counted—including brandishing, accidental discharges, and shootings without injuries—the number is much higher, with hundreds of incidents each year (e.g., over 300 in 2023). Recent years have seen fluctuations, with 2023 having a notably high number of such incidents, and 2025 already seeing over 50 shootings by early April. The rate of shootings involving injuries or deaths has varied, with around 9 incidents this year (2025) causing injury or death, compared to 39 in 2024 and other numbers ranging from 10 to 51 in previous years. The nature of incidents ranges from targeted to indiscriminate shootings, with many involving handguns and a majority of perpetrators under 18 years of age.