Targeted Violence

Subtopics

Physical Security

School Security Personnel

Violence Prevention

Prevent and mitigate targeted violence incidents.

Targeted violence refers to violence that is premeditated and directed at specific individuals, groups, or locations. Perpetrators often select their targets as a result of grievances. Targeted violence is distinct from violence that is spontaneous, random, or impulsive crime emanating from a person’s immediate anger or fear and is often distinguished by pre-attack behaviors that suggest violence as a possible outcome.

The factors that lead to targeted violence can be wide-ranging, complex, and occur over a period of time. In many instances, however, targeted violence incidents are preventable. Addressing targeted violence requires a comprehensive and community-based approach that incorporates a variety of prevention, protection, and mitigation measures.

Addressing targeted violence should be part of a school’s larger prevention system that begins with issues such as school climate. A positive school climate promotes respectful, trusting, and caring relationships and opens lines of communication, and students may feel more comfortable asking for help or reporting concerns. Other protective factors can include providing access to mental health resources and supports, addressing bullying and cyberbullying, and promoting safe community environments.

Schools can also protect against acts of targeted violence by implementing other violence prevention strategies and by involving school personnel who are trained to prevent, recognize, and respond to threats of violence. One practice school may consider the use of well-trained and diverse multidisciplinary school threat assessment teams. These teams should include certified mental health professionals and the approach should include providing the supports and interventions students need when they need them. Schools may also establish a reporting system that is continually monitored and allows anonymous reporting to help members of the school community share concerns related to student or school safety.

Some school districts may decide to use school-based law enforcement, including school resource officers (SROs) and other security personnel, to help prevent or mitigate school violence. Implementing an SRO program is a local decision that should be made with significant community input, and school districts should consider the range of options available that best fit their needs. SROs have a unique role in school safety, with a primary focus on prevention and proactive engagement in their community of students and school staff.

Local communities should consider funding, training, and proper staffing as part of the SRO program evaluation. Schools with SRO programs are encouraged to implement high-quality practices in the training and use of SROs in schools. Ensuring SROs carry out their responsibilities in a fair and impartial manner helps students feel safe at school.

Schools can also mitigate targeted violence threats by taking proactive measures to improve the physical security of school grounds, buildings, and classrooms. Conducting a site assessment can help school leaders and personnel identify vulnerabilities, integrate future security practices, and inform the development of building security plans. Schools can also bolster physical security and safety efforts by working with community partners to share information about best practices, potential threats, and mitigation strategies. Physical security should be viewed as part of the broader school safety and security enterprise, with measures that support prevention, response, and recovery efforts and that do not impede upon the educational mission or school climate.

Featured Resources

These resources are a starting point for learning more about targeted violence. Use these resources to help prevent and mitigate targeted violence incidents.

Additionally, SchoolSafety.gov regularly publishes issue briefs that provide a high-level overview of a specific school safety topic as well as a sampling of aligned strategies, resources, programs, and tools. Download and explore targeted violence-related issue briefs below.

Fact Sheet

Bombing Prevention Assistance for K-12 Schools

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, 2023

This publication provides K-12 schools and districts with information on products, tools, and Counter-Improvised Explosive Device strategies to protect against, prevent, mitigate, and respond to bombing threats.

Guidance

K-12 School Security Guide Product Suite

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, 2022

The suite is a set of products designed to inform safety and physical security planning for K-12 schools. It includes the K-12 School Security Guide (3rd ed.), which provides a comprehensive doctrine and systems-based methodology for vulnerability assessment, planning, and implementation of layered physical security elements, and the School Security Assessment Tool, a web-based assessment that walks users through a tailorable vulnerability analysis and provides results and recommendations that can be integrated into a school’s existing safety and security plans.

Tool

Active Shooter Exercise Starter Kits

Department of Homeland Security

These self-conducted tabletop exercises, tailored for the academic community, include a set of scalable tools aimed to test existing emergency plans, protocols, and procedures, while also strengthening preparedness, response, and recovery capabilities in the event of an active shooter situation.

Filter Resources

All Targeted Violence Resources

Access additional resources below to learn more about targeted violence and related best practices. Use the filters to sort resources based on subtopic and/or preparedness action.

Guidance

De-escalation Series

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, 2021

These products provide information and guidance on recognizing, assessing, de-escalating, and reporting behaviors that raise concern. They include details on activities and behaviors that may be concerning or indicative of impending violence.

Guidance

K-12 Anonymized Threat Response Guidance

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and Department of Justice, 2024

This resource helps K-12 schools and law enforcement and community partners create tailored approaches to address anonymous threats of violence, including those received on social media. The guidance includes a toolkit and accompanying reference guide that outline steps school leaders can take to assess and respond to anonymous threats, better prepare for and prevent future threats, and work in coordination with law enforcement and other local partners when these threats arise.

Fact Sheet

National Center for School Safety Product Highlights

Department of Justice

These one-pagers outline key trainings and resources from the National Center for School Safety. Each document provides quick insights, useful resources, and discussion prompts to support implementation in the school community.