10 School Shooters Under the Age of 14 in Last 20 Years

In the United States of America, school shootings are one of the most tragic events, with shooters involved as young as 14 years or even younger. The topic of school shootings ignites from time to time because hundreds of people in the US have died in these events over the past years. Though the events of school shootings involving perpetrators below 14 are very rare, but they shed light on the flaws of America’s societal structures. Recently, on Monday at a Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, a 15-year-old female student killed another student and a teacher just a week before the start of the school’s Christmas holidays. Later, the shooter died by inflicting a self-gunshot. This event has once again drawn people’s attention towards school shootings. So, let’s take a look at the details of school shooters under the age of 14 in the last two decades.

14-Year-Old Colt Gray Was Involved In Apalachee High School Shooting

14-Year-Old Colt Gray Was Involved In Apalachee High School Shooting

On 4th September 2024, a mass shooting took place at the Apalachee High School, near Winder, Georgia. The perpetrator Colt Gray, 14 years old, was taken into custody for allegedly shooting 11 people. Out of these, 2 students and 2 teachers died while the rest seven were severely injured by the gunshots. The 14-year-old was arrested and has been prosecuted as an adult. It was said that his father was the one who bought him the semi-automatic AR-15-style rifle used in the shooting. A Barrow County grand jury indicted the 14-year-old on a total of 55 counts, including 25 counts of aggravated assault and murder of 4 people. Whereas his father was indicted on 29 counts, including 2 counts of involuntary manslaughter and 2 counts of 2nd-degree murder. The names of the people who died in this incident are Richard Aspinwall, Cristina Irimie, Mason Schermerhorn, and Christian Angulo.

12-Year-Old Girl Shot Three People At The Rigby Middle School, Idaho

12-Year-Old Girl Shot Three People At The Rigby Middle School, Idaho

On 6th May 2021, a sixth-grade school girl who was 12 years old brought a gun to her school in Idaho and shot and wounded 2 students and a custodian in the morning hours. Authorities have said that the perpetrator was disarmed by a teacher who held her until law enforcement arrived at the scene. Later, the girl was taken into police custody. Steve Anderson, Jefferson County Sheriff has revealed that the girl pulled the weapon from her bag and fired several shots inside and outside the Rigby Middle School, which is about 95 miles southwest of the Yellowstone National Park. It was said that the three victims were shot in their limbs and were taken to the hospital.

13-Year-Old Schooler Shoots A Student At The Washington Middle School In New Mexico

13-Year-Old Schooler Shoots A Student At The Washington Middle School In New Mexico

On 13th August 2021, one student who was approximately 13 years old, shot and killed another 13-year-old student, Bennie Hargrove at the Washington Middle School in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Police revealed that the shooting took place at approximately 12:45 pm during the lunch hour at the school. Though the police were unsure about what grade they were in, but according to them, the shooter was about 13 years old and was named Juan Saucedo Jr. It was said that the shooting incident between the two students was isolated and immediately after it took place, the perpetrator was taken into custody by a school resource officer.

It was revealed that the shooter brought his father’s gun to the school. Apart from Bennie, nobody else was injured in the incident. After the shooting, the school was initially locked down and parents were advised to pick their children up. Scott Elder, superintendent for Albuquerque Public Schools said that it was a terrible day for APS and the community. In 2023, the shooter pleaded no contest to the charge of 2nd-degree murder and will remain in state custody until he attains the age of 21.

13-Year-Old Thomas White Opened Fire In The Hallway Of A Memorial Middle School

13-Year-Old Thomas White Opened Fire In The Hallway Of A Memorial Middle School

On 9th October 2006, a 13-year-old student named Thomas White fired a gunshot from his MAK-90 rifle at the hallway ceiling of a Memorial Middle School. It was said that nobody was injured in the incident but the gunshot struck a water pipe. He also tried several times to shoot the school principal Stephen Gilbreth at a close range while being taken out of the school. However, the weapon did not fire because the ammunition magazine was not loaded properly and the principal remained unharmed. The shooter was taken into custody and was tried for gun possession and assault. In 2009, he was given a 10-year sentence in prison.

9-Year-Old Boy Accidentally Set Off Gun In Class At Armin Jahr Elementary School

9-Year-Old Boy Accidentally Set Off Gun In Class At Armin Jahr Elementary School

On 23rd February 2012, a 9-year-old school boy set off a gun in a class accidentally after slamming his bag on a desk, hitting an 8-year-old student in the abdomen. It was revealed that the boy took the gun because he planned to leave and run away from his uncle’s house, where he lived, and bought the gun to school for merely his own protection. Later, in a plea agreement, the boy took the responsibility of bringing the handgun to school and was sent to 1-year court-supervised probation. His mother, Jamie Lee Chaffin, pleaded guilty to the weapons charges and was imprisoned for 14 months.

5-Year-Old Student Fired A Gun In The Westside Elementary School’s Cafeteria

5-Year-Old Student Fired A Gun In The Westside Elementary School's Cafeteria

On 22nd August 2013, a 5-year-old kindergarten student accidentally fired a gun in the cafeteria of his elementary school. It was revealed that the student bought the gun in his bag. The gun accidentally discharged one time inside the boy’s bag while waiting for the opening bell in the cafeteria. Later, it was reported that nobody was injured and there was no harmful intent of the boy.

Jose Reyes, 12-Year-Old, Opened Fire At The Sparks Middle School

Jose Reyes, 12-Year-Old, Opened Fire At The Sparks Middle School

On 21st October 2013, a 12-year-old boy named Jose Reyes opened fire at the basketball court of Sparks Middle School in Nevada. The shot injured one student in the shoulder and killed Michael Landsberry, who tried to intervene. The gunshot also wounded a student who was trying to help the teacher. Later, the school shooter died by shooting himself in the head. The incident happened before the beginning of classes.

12-Year-Old Mason Campbell Injured 2 Students At Berrendo Middle School

12-Year-Old Mason Campbell Injured 2 Students At Berrendo Middle School

On 14th January 2014, a 12-year-old boy named Mason Campbell opened fire and injured two students inside the gymnasium of Berrendo Middle School. It was revealed that the shooter was a seventh-grader who was apprehended at the scene. The school shooter was later charged with 3 counts of aggravated battery with a deadly firearm. The court sentenced him to stay in a Juvenile Detention Facility until he reached the age of 21 years.

A 12-Year-Old Killed Shot A Student At The Tanglewood Middle School

A 12-Year-Old Killed Shot A Student At The Tanglewood Middle School

On 31st March 2022, a 12-year-old student opened fire and killed another student at the Tanglewood Middle School in Greenville, South Carolina. After the incident, the shooter ran away from the scene but was later found under the deck of a home situated nearby.

6-Year-Old Student Shot A Teacher At The Richneck Elementary School

6-Year-Old Student Shot A Teacher At The Richneck Elementary School

On 6th January 2023, a shooting incident took place at the Richneck Elementary School where a 6-year-old student shot and killed a teacher named Abby Zwerner. The teacher was killed while she was teaching in the classroom by a 9mm semi-automatic pistol. It was revealed that the weapon belonged to the boy’s mother and he brought it to school in his backpack.

Megha Chauhan
Megha Chauhan
Megha Chauhan is an accomplished content writer who holds a degree in Law. Her extensive expertise in research and writing has helped her excel in this field. Her expertise spans from engaging blog posts and in-depth articles. Passionate about storytelling, Megha continually hones her skills to stay ahead of trends, ensuring her content remains fresh and impactful.

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