We are researchers and pediatric emergency medicine physicians who study firearm injuries. We’ve been here before-at Columbine, Sandy Hook, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., and too many other schools. Many go virtually unmentioned on the national stage, however, until the “unthinkable” happens, and 19 nine- to 11-year-old children and two teachers die unspeakable deaths at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Tex.
This year school shootings have occurred more than weekly on average, with 27 in 2022 (so far). The children killed are Hispanic, white, Black, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, transgender and cisgender. Killers target elementary, high school and college students in urban, suburban and rural communities. School shootings feel random in their location yet predictable in their occurrence.
