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A groundbreaking study led by Stanford Medicine reveals that when U.S. children fall victim to mass shootings, the majority of the perpetrators are family members. The research, set to be published on February 10 in JAMA Pediatrics, provides the first in-depth analysis of the relationships between mass shooting perpetrators and pediatric victims—those under the age of 18.
“It was surprising that domestic violence was so pervasive, that 59% of kids who died in mass shootings were at the hands of a family member,” said Dr. Stephanie Chao, associate professor of surgery and the study’s senior author. The research was led by Dr. Pamela Emengo, a research fellow in pediatric surgery.
Key Findings of the Study
Chao’s team defined mass shootings as incidents resulting in at least four fatalities, excluding the perpetrator. They analyzed 121 mass shootings that occurred in the U.S. between January 27, 2009, and December 25, 2020. Among the 308 pediatric deaths recorded in these incidents, the majority were at the hands of family members.
The study found that:
- More than 40% of pediatric victims were killed by a parent.
- 59% of child fatalities involved a relative as the perpetrator, including parents, aunts and uncles, siblings, grandparents, and cousins.
- After relatives, the most common perpetrators were acquaintances (14.6%), strangers (12%), classmates (6.8%), neighbors (2.6%), and criminal associates (0.6%).
- In about 4% of cases, the relationship between the shooter and victim was unknown.
A Shift in Public Perception
In 2020, firearm-related deaths surpassed car accidents as the leading cause of child fatalities in the U.S., highlighting the urgent need for stronger protections against gun violence. Despite this, the study suggests that public fears regarding mass shootings are often misplaced.
“When American parents are surveyed about their concerns, everyone is worried about school shootings,” Chao noted. “Our data shows that our fears may be incorrectly placed—our homes may, in fact, be more dangerous than schools.”
Addressing the Crisis
The researchers emphasized the need for increased awareness and policy changes to address the root causes of gun violence. Since over 22 million children in the U.S. live in homes with firearms, Chao advocates for preventive measures, such as removing firearms from households experiencing domestic conflict or mental health crises.
“We need research and policies that approach gun violence as a public health problem, so we can best understand how to prevent it and treat it,” Chao said.
In addition to their research, Chao’s team is developing an educational program called PLEDGE, designed to teach K-12 students about firearm injuries and prevention strategies.
Conclusion
This study sheds light on an often-overlooked aspect of gun violence: the prevalence of domestic shootings involving children. While mass shootings in public spaces dominate the media, the findings suggest that the home environment may pose an even greater risk to children’s safety.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on research findings and does not constitute legal or medical advice. The information is intended to raise awareness and inform public discussion on gun violence and child safety.
