Characteristics of School-Associated Youth Homicides — United States, 1994–2018 | MMWR

Characteristics of School-Associated Youth Homicides — United States, 1994–2018 | MMWR

New Study Looks at Trends from the School-Associated Violent Death Surveillance System (SAVD-SS)

Study finds that multiple-victim school-associated youth homicide incidence rates have increased in recent years.

A new report analyzed data from the School-Associated Violent Death Surveillance System (SAVD-SS) for single-victim youth homicide incidents that occurred between July 1994 and June 2016 (n=393) and multiple-victim incidents between July 1994 and June 2018 (38 incidents resulting in 121 youth homicides). Although school-associated youth homicides (SAYH) account for <2% of all youth homicides, even one such incident is unacceptable. SAYHs are devastating for families, schools, and entire communities. The 22-year trend for single-victim SAYH rates did not change between 1994 and 2016, whereas multiple-victim incidence rates increased significantly from July 2009 through June 2018 – a finding likely related to a large number of incidents from 2016-2018.

Key Findings

• Over 90% of SAYH incidents from July 1994-June 2016 involved one victim.
• Single-victim SAYH rates did not change significantly overall from July 1994-June 2016 despite fluctuations over time.
• Multiple-victim SAYH incidence rates decreased from July 1994-June 2009, but then increased significantly through the 2017/2018 school year.
• Characteristics of single-victim SAYHs are consistent with national data on youth homicides overall, indicating higher victimization rates among racial/ethnic minority male adolescents in urban areas.
• Firearm-related injuries were the cause of death for 70.4% of all youth SAYHs included in this study.
• From July 1994-June 2016, almost 1 in 5 victims died in multiple-victim incidents.

Implications for Public Health

The number of SAYHs remains unacceptably high. Findings indicating that characteristics of SAYHs resemble youth homicides in the broader community suggest that prevention strategies are needed both within and beyond the school setting. The comprehensive approach described in CDC’s Comprehensive Technical Package for the Prevention of Youth Violence and Associated Risk Behaviors provides a range of prevention options including strategies that promote connections between youth and caring adults, enhance youth’s problem solving and coping skills, and reduce risk among youth who have been violent. States, communities, and schools can use the technical package to guide their prevention efforts based on the best available evidence. For instance, communities experiencing gang and firearm violence may benefit from street outreach programs (e.g., Cure Violence, Safe Streets) that train staff with credibility in the community (e.g., former gang members) to change community norms and reduce escalating conflicts. Further, research has shown that most firearms used by youth in SAYH incidents were obtained from their own home or from a friend or relative, emphasizing that safely storing firearms and reducing minors’ unsupervised access to firearms may also help to prevent SAYH incidents. A comprehensive approach to preventing youth violence is critical for reducing violence on and off school grounds.

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• 90% of all school-associated youth homicides involve 1 victim, but 1 in 5 deaths result from multiple victim incidents: go.usa.gov/xEZfW
• New report examines trends of school-associated youth homicide rates. Read more about the trends and characteristics: go.usa.gov/xEZfW

Learn More

• A Comprehensive Technical Package for the Prevention of Youth Violence and Associated Risk Behaviors
• What Is Youth Violence?
• National Centers of Excellence in Youth Violence Prevention (YVPCs)
• STRYVE: Striving to Prevent Youth Violence Everywhere

Contact Us

For more information about DVP or to speak with one of our staff, please email dvpinquiries@cdc.gov.

Characteristics of School-Associated Youth Homicides — United States, 1994–2018 | MMWR