NCJ Number
180852
Journal
On the Move With School-Based Mental Health Volume: 4 Issue: 2 Dated: Summer/Fall 1999 Pages: 1-5
Date Published
1999
Length
2 pages
Annotation
This article offers recommendations to school administrators, counselors, teachers, and peers to help prevent future incidents of school-based shootings perpetrated by individuals identified as "Classroom Avengers" (McGee and DeBernardo, 1999).
Abstract
Based on a review of 14 classroom or school shooting events, the authors identify a variety of common features that these Classroom Avengers share. The typical Classroom Avenger is an adolescent male who perpetrates a multivictim homicide in a school or classroom setting (McGee and DeBernardo, 1999). Contrary to what may be expected, the Classroom Avenger does not typically have a history of severe conduct problems or extensive legal history. Demographically, the Classroom Avenger is a white male with an average age of 16; he has been raised in a middle-class family in a rural or suburban setting, most likely in the south or northwest section of the United States. The shooting incident is typically precipitated by rejection by peers or a girlfriend or may be triggered by disciplinary actions from authority figures. In all cases reviewed, the Classroom Avenger expressed intent to kill or commit suicide or did something highly dramatic prior to the attack. The Classroom Avenger has depression that manifests itself in a sullen, angry irritability and seclusiveness and has violent fantasies of revenge. Once the potential Classroom Avenger is identified based on a behavioral profile, several steps can be taken. School-based clinicians can provide overall coordination of treatment interventions that involve collaboration between mental health, law enforcement, and family and school services. School administrators should consider policies that include immediate suspension/expulsion of students who threaten violence. One option that has been successful in some school districts is the installation of metal detectors and the hiring of security personnel or police officers to patrol the school. The establishment of student organizations that target student identification and prevention of violence can also be effective. 2 references