The Safe Schools Initiative report included the following key findings:

• Incidents of targeted violence at schools rarely were sudden impulsive acts.
• Most attackers did not threaten their targets directly prior to advancing the attack.
• There was no useful or accurate “profile” of individuals who engaged in targeted violence.
• Most attackers had difficulty coping with significant losses or personal failures. Many had considered or attempted suicide.
• Many attackers felt bullied, persecuted, or injured by others prior to the attack.
• Most attackers had access to and had used weapons prior to the attack.
• Despite prompt law enforcement responses, most shooting incidents were stopped by means other than law enforcement interventions.
• In many cases, others were involved in the incident in some capacity.
• Most attackers engaged in some behavior prior to the incident that caused others concern or indicated a need for help.
• Prior to the incidents, other people knew about the attacker’s idea and/or plan to attack.

Source: Vossekuil, B., Fein, R. A., Reddy, M., Borum, R., & Modzeleski, W. (2002, May). The Final Report and Findings of the Safe School Initiative: Implications for the Prevention of School Attacks in the United States. U.S. Secret Service and U.S. Department of Education. Washington, DC. Retrieved from https://www2.ed.gov/admins/lead/safety/preventingattacksreport.pdf