 |
 |

School-Associated Violent Deaths in the United States, 1992 to 1994
S. Patrick Kachur, MD, MPH;
Gail M. Stennies, MD, MPH;
Kenneth E. Powell, MD, MPH;
William Modzeleski;
Ronald Stephens, EdD;
Rosemary Murphy, PhD;
Marcie-jo Kresnow, MS;
David Sleet, PhD;
Richard Lowry, MD
JAMA. 1996;275(22):1729-1733.
Abstract
 |  |
Objective. —To conduct the first nationwide investigation of violent deaths associated with schools in the United States, to quantify the risk of school-associated violent death, and to identify epidemiologic features of these deaths.
Design. —Descriptive case series.
Setting. —United States, July 1, 1992, through June 30, 1994.
Methods. —School-associated violent deaths were identified by study collaborators and through 2 online news databases. Police reports, medical examiners' records, and interviews with police and school officials provided detailed information about each case.
Results. —In a 2-year period, 105 school-associated violent deaths were identified. The estimated incidence of school-associated violent death was 0.09 per 100 000 student-years. Students in secondary schools, students of minority racial and ethnic backgrounds, and students in urban school districts had higher levels of risk. The deaths occurred in communities of all sizes in 25 different states. Homicide was the predominant cause of death (n=85 [80.9%]), and firearms were responsible for a majority (n=81 [77.1%]) of the deaths. Most victims were students (n=76 [72.4%]). Both victims and offenders tended to be young (median ages, 16 and 17 years, respectively) and male (82.9% and 95.6%, respectively). Approximately equal numbers of deaths occurred inside school buildings (n=31 [29.5%]), outdoors but on school property (n=37 [35.2%]), and at off-campus locations while the victim was in transit to or from school (n=37 [35.2%]). Equal numbers of deaths occurred during classes or other school activities (n=46 [43.8%]) and before or after official school activities (n=46 [43.8%]).
Conclusions. —School-associated violent deaths were more common than previously estimated. The epidemiologic features of these deaths were similar to those of homicides and suicides that occur elsewhere. A comprehensive approach that addresses violent injury and death among young people at school and elsewhere in the community is suggested.
(JAMA 1996;275:1729-1733)
Author Affiliations
From the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (Drs Kachur, Stennies, Powell, and Sleet and Ms Kresnow) and National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (Drs Sleet and Lowry), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Ga; Safe and Drug-Free Schools Program, US Department of Education, Washington, DC (Mr Modzeleski); National School Safety Center, Westlake Village, Calif (Dr Stephens); and National Institute of Justice, US Department of Justice, Washington, DC (Dr Murphy). Dr Kachur is now with the National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Ga.
Footnotes
Reprints: S. Patrick Kachur, MD, MPH, Division of Parasitic Diseases/NCID/CDC, Mailstop F-22, 4770 Buford Hwy NE, Chamblee, GA 30341.
CiteULike Connotea Del.icio.us Digg Reddit Technorati Twitter
What's this?
THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES
 |
Effects of Teacher Avoidance of School Policies on Student Victimization
Marachi et al.
School Psychology International 2007;28:501-518.
ABSTRACT
School Shootings and the Man-Bites-Dog Criterion of Newsworthiness
Lawrence and Mueller
Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice 2003;1:330-345.
ABSTRACT
School Climate, Observed Risky Behaviors, and Victimization as Predictors of High School Students' Fear and Judgments of School Violence as a Problem
Astor et al.
Health Educ Behav 2002;29:716-736.
ABSTRACT
Studying Rare Events Through Qualitative Case Studies: Lessons from a Study of Rampage School Shootings
HARDING et al.
Sociological Methods Research 2002;31:174-217.
ABSTRACT
The nature of newspaper coverage of homicide
Taylor and Sorenson
Inj. Prev. 2002;8:121-127.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Low-Level Violence: A Neglected Aspect of School Culture
Dupper and Meyer-Adams
Urban Education 2002;37:350-364.
ABSTRACT
School Violence: An Overview
Strawhacker
The Journal of School Nursing 2002;18:68-72.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Preventing Lethal Violence in Schools: The Case for Entry-Based Weapons Screening
Mawson et al.
Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law 2002;27:243-260.
ABSTRACT
Lethal Violence in the Schools
Hemenway
Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law 2002;27:267-272.
Risk Factors for Violent Death in Children
Barger et al.
JAMA 2002;287:983-984.
FULL TEXT
School-Associated Violent Deaths in the United States, 1994-1999
Anderson et al.
JAMA 2001;286:2695-2702.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
The Conceptualization of Violence-Prone School Subcontexts: Is the Sum of the Parts Greater than the Whole?
Astor and Meyer
Urban Education 2001;36:374-399.
ABSTRACT
Reducing Adolescents' Aggressive and Hostile Behaviors: Randomized Trial Effects of a Brief Family Intervention 4 Years Past Baseline
Spoth et al.
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2000;154:1248-1257.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Preventing school violence: a time for hard, solid thinking
Barrios
Inj. Prev. 2000;6
:165-166.
FULL TEXT
The Relationship Between Children's Threats of Violence and Violent Behaviors
Singer and Flannery
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2000;154:785-790.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Searching for Safe Schools: Legal Issues in the Prevention of School Violence
Yell and Rozalski
Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders 2000;8:187-196.
ABSTRACT
Scared Kids, Unattached Kids, or Peer Pressure: Why Do Students Carry Firearms to School?
MAY
Youth Society 1999;31:100-127.
ABSTRACT
Recent Trends in Violence-Related Behaviors Among High School Students in the United States
Brener et al.
JAMA 1999;282:440-446.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Unowned Places and Times: Maps and Interviews About Violence in High Schools
Astor et al.
Am Educ Res J 1999;36:3-42.
ABSTRACT
Community-Based Health Education for Urban Populations: An Overview
Freudenberg
Health Educ Behav 1998;25:11-23.
Victimization and Safety in Schools Serving Early Adolescents
Anderman and Kimweli
The Journal of Early Adolescence 1997;17:408-438.
ABSTRACT
Strategic Thinking About Gun Markets and Violence
Cook and Cole
JAMA 1996;275:1765-1767.
ABSTRACT
|