School shootings today

School shootings have been a major issue in the United States for years now, resulting in the injury and death of both students and teachers alike. Devastating shootings like the ones in Uvalde, Texas and Seattle, Washington were hoped to have been left behind. But as we enter 2023, the terrors of school shootings continue to follow.

“School shootings are all over the news, especially where we live. It’s hard to avoid it,” sophomore Aryan Kollaram said.

Schools in Washington require students to practice emergency drills starting in kindergarten, including the ‘lockdown’ drill, which secludes students and staff from potential intruders. These drills are intended to keep students and staff safe in the worst-case scenario. These, however helpful, often plant a seed of fear in many kids’ minds. 

“The possibility of a school shooting happening at my school is something I’ve grown up with since kindergarten,” freshman Nick St. Pierre Nelson said.

School shootings have taken the lives of over 350 victims in the past 10 years (CBS). And with the problem finding its way into Washington state, many students and families here at Liberty find themselves concerned with the lives of people they know.

“I had a friend who experienced a lockdown because someone brought a gun to school,” junior Andrew Browne said. “They were okay, but because she went through that I am now more cautious and aware.”

The wave of school shootings has been brought to the attention of every single American, no matter where they take place. Students have gained more exposure through social media and have realized its frequent occurrence. 

“I hear about school shootings more than once a month. I see a lot of incidents through social media as the story is shared around,” senior Taylee Klein said.

Fear in schools

Hearing about school shootings provides American people with a reminder of the reality that many schools face almost daily. Many people tend to use avoidance as a coping mechanism in response to the almost daily news articles about mass shootings in various parts of the US. While concerning, talking about these issues fights desensitization and motivates change. 

“After I hear about a recent school shooting, I realize the reality we’re living in. I definitely think about what could happen to me,” senior Marcus Clement said. “After a while, however, it’s not something I’m actively thinking about.”

For some students, this fear can translate into their day-to-day life at school.

“The occurrence of school shootings at other schools makes you think about the dangers and possibility of it happening to you. You’re more on edge than you should be in a normal school environment,” Klein said.

The anxiety caused by the fear of a school shooting occurring has led to many students feeling more anxious, with 79% of a survey of 124 Liberty students reporting feeling more worried over time in regard to the possibility of a school shooting happening.

“At least half of the people I know feel unsafe and vulnerable, especially since it happened in nearby districts,” junior Minot Elias said .

In November of 2022, a shooting at Ingraham High School in Seattle took place, in which a 17-year-old student was shot by another student who had brought a gun to school. The shooting spread awareness to parents, teachers, and students around King County and made local school districts more alert. 

“The Ingraham shooting was definitely rattling because it was so close. Most shootings are far away,” Clement said. “After Ingraham, it was like ‘wow this can literally happen to us.’”

Due to the constant reports of school shootings and the subsequent desensitization, there has been an increased amount of humor surrounding issues like school shootings.

“I don’t think people should make the sort of jokes that I’ve heard about school shootings and gun violence,” Browne said. “A lot of people gathered a sort of immunity to the language that would usually provoke someone.”

Like jokes, the presence of guns around school environments and children has similar effects. The initial reaction of shock most feel in response to alarming events relating to school shootings has nearly diminished.

“I’ve lived next to the gun range by Liberty for a long time. By now, I just feel like my brain has become numb to the sounds of gunshots,” Klein said.

How Liberty Stays Safe

Due to the increasing reality of a school shooting occurring, The Issaquah School District and Liberty have both taken precautions to ensure the safety of students and staff to the best of their ability.

“Every month, we have our normal emergency drills. I feel better knowing we are taking a safety precaution that way,” Kollaram said.

Beyond drills, Liberty has implemented changes in day-to-day school life to address the growing threat of school shootings.

“A few years ago, we did not have our outer doors locked during school; they were open all the time,” English teacher Henry Level said. “Now, we’re at the point where we always have the doors locked except for during passing periods.”

Many students feel these shifts are a reassuring step in the right direction.

“I think locking the doors is always a good plan for schools. In general, you don’t want people just walking in” Nelson said.

The safety of students, such as Nelson, is always the top priority for Liberty’s administration. Numerous safety features are constantly utilized to keep the community safe.

“Our schools have installed vestibules. Vestibules are an entry system where someone will walk in and have to be buzzed in,” Liberty High School Principal Andrew Brownson said. “This allows for a screening system for the majority of folks coming into the building.”

At Liberty, security officer Jon Kinsley keeps students safe, but this safeguard doesn’t just apply to Liberty.

“Each of the high schools in ISD has a school security officer whose sole job is to help ensure the security of the school,” Brownson said.

With these numerous safety measures, 90.3% of students feel either safe or somewhat safe at Liberty. However, there is a limit to how much more the Issaquah School District can do.

“Liberty is one of the smaller high schools in the district, and we still have 1500 kids that have to get to seven different classes per day.” said Brownson, “With over 60 to 70 exterior doors, there’s no way we can be 100% safe without restricting learning.”

For those who are constantly worried about school shootings, there are several steps you can take.

“Coming up with a plan for if something would happen can make you feel more at ease. You have to realize some of it is out of your control” Clement said.

In this day and age, going anywhere has some level of risk. While Liberty is a safe place for learning, it’s important that everyone remains aware of their surroundings.

“I think that’s a good thing for kids to be a little anxious. If we’re not anxious, then we’re complacent. Worry drives us to pay attention or look for signs,” Brownson said.