This page identifies the following types of incidents:

• terrorist attacks in which the targets were preferentially children,
• attempted terrorist attacks preferentially targeting children,
• terrorist attacks which produced very high casualties among children, and
• non-terrorist criminal acts which are relevant in terms of methodology and child victims.

Incident descriptions:

• 18 May 1927 (criminal)--Bombing of a school in Bath, Michigan, killed many children. Andrew Kehoe, whose farm had been foreclosed for failure to pay school taxes, had placed about 400 kg of dynamite in the school. One charge exploded, collapsing a portion of the school and killing about 40 children. The school superintendent confronted Kehoe on a nearby street, when Kehoe fired into dynamite in the back of his car killing himself and the superintendent. [1]

• 15 September 1959 (criminal)--Paul Orgeron entered Poe Elementary School, Houston, Texas, and asked about enrolling his 7-year-old son but had no relevant documents, with which he promised to return. He returned to the school playground with his son a few minutes later, about 8:30 AM, carrying a briefcase containing about six sticks of dynamite, and gave a threatening note to a teacher. The teacher called for assistance from other staff and began moving students to safety. When Orgeron was confronted by the school principal and a custodian, he detonated the explosives, killing himself, his son, two other 7-year-old students, a teacher and the custodian. Those injured included 17 children ages 6 to 10 and the school principal. [2]

• 15 September 1963 (terrorism)--A bomb exploded under the steps of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, killing 4 young girls (ages 11-14) attending Sunday school and injuring 23 people. [3]

• 18 March 1968 (terrorism)--A school bus in the Negev desert, Israel, struck a landmine set by Fatah terrorists. Two children were killed and 28 children injured. [4]

• 22 May 1970 (terrorism)--12 killed, 19 injured (mostly children) in attack on school bus with three bazooka rockets. [5]

• 11 April 1974 (terrorism)--18 killed (including 8 children), 16 injured in attack by three terrorists on residential building in Qiryat Shemona. [6]

• 15 May 1974 (terrorism)--27 killed, 134 injured in attack on Ma'alot; terrorists killed 2 people in initial attack and took 90 children hostage; most casualties were inflicted by the terrorists during a rescue attempt in which 20 children and 1 soldier were killed (along with all three terrorists). [7]

• 3 February 1976 (terrorism)--At 8:00 AM four terrorists seized a school bus with 30 French children in Djibouti and forced the driver to drive to the Djibouti-Somali border. Negotiations faltered and the following day French GIGN troops arranged to retake the bus. A meal with tranquilizers was sent to the bus for the children. GIGN snipers killed the four terrorists plus a fifth who had entered the bus from across the Somali border, but the fifth terrorist was able to shot and kill one girl. Additional terrorists engaged the troops from the Somali border, but GIGN troops killed 30 of these terrorists, suffering no losses themselves. [8]

• 20 August 1978 (terrorism)--A group of Islamic extremists set fire to a crowded theater in Abadan, Iran. The moviegoers were violating Islamist beliefs by watching movies during the Islamic month of Ramadan. The single exit to the theater was locked with the assistance of a theater employee while the building was set ablaze with incendiary bombs. A small number of occupants were able to escape; most, however, were stampeded or died of smoke inhalation or flames. Total fatalities were about 477, including many youth. [9]

• 7 April 1980 (terrorism)--Five terrorists attack Misgav Am Kibbutz, Israel and take 9 infants hostage in a children's dormitory. Soldiers killed the terrorists in a rescue operation during which one child was killed and four children injured. Another two people (including one soldier) were killed and 12 injured (including ten soldiers). [10]

• 16 May 1986 (terrorism)--A couple took 150 hostages in a school in Cokeville, Wyoming. Children were forced to surround a homemade bomb while the couple demanded a ransom. The bomb accidentally exploded, killing the female terrorist and injuring many children; the male terrorist, in another room at the time, killed himself. [11]

• 17 January 1989 (criminal)--An individual using a AK-47 fired into children playing in the playground of Cleveland Elementary School in Stockton, California. Five children, ages 6 to 9, were killed and 29 others injured, as well as one teacher. The assailant then shot and killed himself. [12]

• 19 April 1995 (terrorism)--At 9:02 AM a explosion from a truck bomb caused the partial collapse of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The explosion resulted from a 2,000-kg ammonium nitrate/fuel oil bomb in a truck parked in front of the building. The 168 killed included 15 children in a day care center on the second floor, 30 visitors (including 4 more children), one person outdoors, and 3 people in nearby buildings. Injuries numbered 675, including 166 in the Murrah building, 413 in nearby buildings, 60 outdoors, and 36 in unknown locations. One rescue worker also died of injuries sustained during recovery efforts.
        Timothy McVeigh was arrested 30 km away at 9:10 AM on a traffic violation and charged with the bombing on April 21. McVeigh held anti-government views and choose the target as a federal building with a BATF office on the second anniversary of the federal raid on the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas. Outside experts have questioned some conclusions of federal investigators and argue that demolition charges would have had to have been emplaced within the building. [13]

• 13 March 1996 (criminal)--Thomas Hamilton entered the Dunblane Primary School in Dunblane, Scotland, shooting students and teachers in the school gym before shooting and killing himself. Sixteen children ages 4 to 5 were killed along with 1 teacher; another 10 children and 2 teachers were injured. [14]

• 24 March 1998 (criminal)--Two students engaged in a shooting attack on Westside Middle School in Jonesboro, Arkansas. After one of the pair pulled a fire alarm, prompting evacuation of the school, the two students fired on students and teachers leaving the building. Four students and 1 teacher were killed; 9 students and two adults were injured. [15]

• 29 October 1998 (terrorism)--1 soldier killed by car bomb driven into jeep escorting a school bus in Gaza. A terrorist driving an explosive-laden car attempted to collide with the bus but the escorting jeep moved to intercept the vehicle. The terrorist detonated the bomb, killing himself and one soldier in the jeep. Injured included two others in the jeep, 3 children, and 3 other adults. [16]

• 29 October 1998 (criminal)--In Goteborg, Sweden, an arson fire by a disgruntled student at a dance hall killed 63. [17]

• 20 April 1999 (criminal)--Two students engagd in a shooting attack on their school, Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold entered the school about 11:00 AM, shooting several students in a stairway. They shot one student outside and additional students en route to the library, where more were shot. The perpetrators went to the cafeteria and unsuccessfully tried to detonate two propane bombs, after which they returned to the library and committed suicide. Arriving police were uncertain of the situation, with the result that the school was not fully evacuated until at least 4 PM. Those killed included 12 students ages 15 to 18, one teacher, and the two perpetrators. Injured included 21 students ages 15 to 18 and two teachers. [18]

• 20 November 2000 (terrorism)--2 killed, 9 injured (including 5 children) by roadside bomb exploding next to a school bus near Gush Katif at 7:30 AM. [19]

• 26 March 2001 (criminal)--Two students set fire to a dormitory at Kyanguli Secondary School, Machakos, Kenya. The two students were retaliating against rejection of college-entrance exams due to suspicions of cheating. The fire was fueled by gasoline and trapped many students in the dormitory which had barred windows and only one of two doors unlocked. Fatalities included 67 male students ages 15 to 19, of whom 58 died immediately and 9 more died of injuries by the following day. Another 19 were seriously injured. [20]

• 8 June 2001 (criminal)--Mamoru Takuma enters Ikeda Elementary School in Ikeda, Japan, and attacks students with a kitchen knife. Eight students ages 6 to 8 were killed and 13 more injured along with 2 teachers. [21]

• 4 September 2001 (terrorism)--20 injured in suicide bombing at 8:00 AM near school in Jerusalem, Israel. The terrorist may have been attempting to enter the school but detonated his bomb outside the school. [22]

• 9 September 2001 (terrorism)--15 killed (including 7 children, 1 American, and 1 Brazilian), 130 injured in suicide bombing at Sbarro pizzeria in Jerusalem. The attacker detonated the bomb, 5 to 10 kg and filled with schrapnel, just before 2 PM. The children killed were ages 2, 4, 8, 10, 14, 15, and 16; a teen age 18 was also killed. One of those injured was an 8-year old who lost 5 family members. [23]

• 2 March 2002 (terrorism)--11 killed (including 7 children), over 50 injured by suicide bomber in Orthodox neighborhood of Jerusalem. The terrorist detonated the bomb at 7:15 PM next to a group of women with baby carriages outside a synagogue. Nine were killed immediately; one adult died 4 March and one 16-year-old died 20 June of injuries. Children killed were ages 7 months, 18 months, 3, 7, 12, 15, and 16. Those killed included 7 members of one family, attending a bar mitzvah. [24]

• 26 April 2002 (criminal)--An expelled former student entered Johann Gutenberg High School in Erfurt, Germany, and went on a shooting rampage. The student shot and killed 13 teachers, 2 students (both age 15), and 1 police officer before committing suicide. [25]

• 9 May 2002 (terrorism)--A bomb was set off at a Victory Day parade in Kaspiysk, Dagestan, Russia. The parade (commemorating the anniversary of victory in World War II) was in the main street of Kaspiysk. A shrapnel-packed bomb hidden in shrubbery by the street was detonated as a military band passed. Initial fatalities included 34 killed, including 19 soldiers, 12 children, and a number of World War II veterans. By the following day additional deaths from injuries brought the total to 41 killed, including 17 children; subsequently the death toll rose to 43. Over 150 were injured, including at least 31 children. The Russian authorities announced the arrest of 18 individuals in connection with the attack, reportedly masterminded by Rapani Khalilov, a Dagestani Muslim religious leader. [26]

• 28 May 2002 (terrorism)--A Palestinian terrorist shot several students on the grounds of Yeshivat Hetzim high school in Itamar, Israel. The gunman shot and killed two students (ages 15 and 17) playing basketball, then entered the school and shot three more students, killing one (age 17) and injuring two (both age 14). The gunman was then shot and killed by a security guard and the school principal. [27]

• 3 June 2002 (terrorism)--A gunman attacked a school bus in Thailand, killing 2 students and injuring 15. [28]

• 11 November 2002 (criminal)--Two men put rat poison in breakfast food at Number One High School in Changde, P.R. China. The men were in a dispute with the school regarding their catering contract. A total of 193 students and teachers became ill. [29]

• 25 November 2002 (criminal)--Huang Hu enters a kindergarten school in Zhanjiang City, Guangdong, P.R. China, on the evening of 24 Nov. and places rat poison in the kitchen's table salt. The man blamed the school for the failure of his own kindergarten school business the previous month. The following day the salt was used in porridge and consumed by students and teachers. A total of 70 children and 2 teachers became seriously ill and required hospitalization. The perpetrator was executed 4 Jan. 2003. [30]

• 2 May 2004 (terrorism)--Palestian terrorists fired on vehicles near Gush Katif, Gaza, stopping a car carrying a mother and her four children (ages 2, 7, 9, and 11). The terrorists approached the car and fatally shot each child, also shooting the pregnant mother in the belly. Another civilian in a separate vehicle was injured. Israeli soldiers arrived and exchanged fire with the terrorists, during which two soldiers were injured. [31]

• 28 June 2004 (terrorism)--A Kassam rocket fired by terrorists struck near a nursery school in Sderot, Gaza Strip. Two people were killed, including one child, and 11 were injured. [32]

• 4 August 2004 (criminal)--A mentally ill man, Xu Heping, enters a kindergarten at Beijing Unversity's Number One Hospital in the P.R. China and stabs a number of children with a kitchen knife. One four-year-old boy died of injuries. Another 14 children and 3 adults were injured, of whom 2 children and 1 teacher were injured seriously. [33]

• 3 September 2004 (terrorism)--A standoff involving hundreds of hostages held by Chechen terrorists at a school in Beslan, North Ossetia, Russia, ended with heavy casualties. On 1 September at 8:30 AM about 32 terrorists (reportedly Chechens and at least 10 Arabs) burst into Beslan School Number One at the conclusion of ceremonies opening the school year and opened fire in the school courtyard. One male parent and one terrorist were killed during the takeover. About 1,181 hostages, including about 855 children, about 60 teachers, and about 266 parents and others, were forced into the school gymnasium. Adults were then forced to extract explosives and weapons placed under the gymnasium's floor during the summer. At 10:50 AM the terrorists threatened to blow up the school if it were stormed, placing children at windows as human shields. Two cars that approached the school were attacked with grenade launchers; at least one driver was killed. About 12 adult males were taken to the second floor and shot, with one more escaping with injuries by jumping out a window. Another person was killed outside the school and two died in hospitals. About 8 were killed, including injured hostages taken from the gymnasium and shot (one child and the remainder adults). Reportedly at some point during the day two female terrorists blew themselves up in school hallways, killing a number of male hostages; other information suggests that the group's leader remotely detonated the two terrorists explosives to deal with dissent among the terrorists. The terrorists requested a specific negotiator with whom they talked from 12:30 AM to 2:00 AM on 2 Sept., when the terrorists ended negotiations. The terrorists negotiated with a former president of Ingushetia region at noon and released 30 women and children at 3:40 PM. The terrorists refused to accept food and water for the hostages, however, who resorted to drinking urine while massed in the gymnasium; many suffered heat exhaustion and removed most clothing.
        The morning of 3 Sept. the terrorists agreed to allow an emergency vehicle to remove bodies of those killed two days earlier, and about noon the vehicle approached the school. As the vehicle was withdrawing, a bomb in the gym fell and exploded, prompting the terrorists to shoot and kill two emergency workers outside. Some hostages fled the building, drawing fire from the terrorists. Russian troops and local civilians fired on the terrorists, with disorganization among the latter group. The terrorists detonated their explosives with at least two explosions at 12:05 PM partially collapsing the gymnasium's roof and a wall. Dozens of hostage deaths resulted from the roof collapse. At 12:14 PM about 30 hostages escaped the school, including injured children. Some terrorists began trying to escape at 12:46 PM, and another explosion occurred at 12:53 PM. Troops entered the school around 1:00 PM, and hundreds of hostages fled with terrorists continuing to shoot at them, producing many injuries. At 1:40 PM troops blasted a hole in a wall to assist evacuation of the burning school building. Some terrorists escaped, including some who took hostages in a house. The school was reported clear of hostages by 2:15 PM, and at 2:25 PM troops attacked a house where 13 terrorists were believed hiding. Explosions and gunfire continued near and within the school to at least 4:05 PM. Most terrorists were killed in gunfire (two were killed by crowds of civilians), but some were still firing from the school around noon and at least three were hidden in the school's basement at 2:50 PM with child hostages. At 8:00 PM some children were still being held hostage.
        Operations were declared over at 10:40 PM, with at least one terrorist captured alive and 30 terrorists killed; some reports claim 3 escaped. Final reports of the number killed include 336 civilian hostages (of whom 16 died in hospitals); this includes 156 children, 19 teachers, and 161 other adult hostages, mostly parents and other relatives. In addition 2 police officers and 11 soldiers were killed. Reported injuries numbered 727 hostages, about 18 soldiers, and at least 2 police officers. Those hospitalized peaked at 704 (including over 336 children). One survivor committed suicide shortly after 3 Sept., and another committed suicide in early 2005. The school attack followed suicide bombings of two airliners flying from Moscow on 25 Aug., which killed 90, and a suicide bombing in Moscow on 31 Aug. which killed 10. [34]

• 30 September 2004 (terrorism)--In the al-Amel neighborhood of Baghdad, a car bomb exploded near a public ceremony marking the opening of a new water treatment plant. A smaller bomb on the ground exploded at nearly the same time. The explosions occurred in crowds attending the ceremony, including children gathered to receive candy from U.S. soldiers. Those killed included 35 children and 7 adults; 141 were injured, including 69 children, 10 U.S. soldiers in a nearby convoy, and 62 other adults. [35]

• 25 November 2004 (criminal)--At 11:45 PM a man entered a dormitory of Number 2 High School in Ruzhou, Henan, P.R. China, and began attacking sleeping students in their sleep with a knife. Proceeding through three separate dormitory buildings, he killed 8 students and injured 4 more, all in lower bunk beds. [36]

• 21 March 2005 (criminal)--A student walked into a high school at Red Lake Indian Reservation, Minnesota, and shot multiple students and adults. Jeff Weise, a homebound student, shot and killed his grandfather and his grandfather's girlfriend. The grandfather was a police officer, and Weise then took two of the grandfather's service weapons and his squad car to Red Lack Senior High School. He entered the school about 2:50 PM, killing a security guard who confronted him, then fired on students and teachers in several classrooms. Within about 10 minutes, four police officers arrived and exchanged gunfight with Weise, after which Weise committed suicide. Five students at the school were killed (four 15-year-olds and one 14-year-old) plus one teacher and one security guard. Another seven students were injured (including four 15-year-olds). [37]

• 4 April 2005 (criminal)--A man entered a middle school in Zhanjiang, Guangdong, P.R.C., and attacked several students with a kitchen knife. The man, who had recented lost his job, injured 8 students in the head and/or hands after entering a classroom at Nansan Middle School. When police arrived at the school a 2-hour standoff ensued after which the man attempted suicide by jumping from a window but was captured by police. [38]

• 10 June 2005 (criminal)--At Hikari High Schoo, Hikari, Yamaguchi, Japan, a student threw a homemade bomb into a classroom, injuring 58 students and teachers. The bomb comprised a jar filled with nails and gunpowder from firecrackers. Injuries were minor. [39]

• 16 June 2005 (criminal)--A hostage-taking at an elementary school for international children in Siem Reap, Cambodia, ended with one child killed. Chea Sokhom, a Cambodian who had been employed to take two children to the school, had a disagreement with the children's father, a South Korean. Sokhom recruited three friends in a plot to enter the school and kill the two South Korean children. They stormed the school at 9:30 AM with guns and knives and took two kindergarten classes hostage (about 70 children ages 2 to 6), but could not locate their intended targets. They released all but 30 children and a teacher. Sokhom fatally shot a two-year-old Canadian boy who would not stop crying. The gunmen demanded a van, ransom, and weapons; police provided the van and ransom and stormed the gunmen as they loaded the van with hostages, ending the seige without further injury. [40]

• 13 July 2005 (terrorism)--At 10:50 AM a suicide car bomb was driven into a group of children receiving toys and candy from U.S. soldiers in Baghdad. Neighborhood children were gathered around U.S. soldiers next to their Humvee. The terrorist drove into the group of children before detonating the bomb, killing at least 24 Iraqi children (most from 10 to 13 years in age, but including one 5-year-old and one infant), 2 Iraqi adults, and 1 U.S. soldier. The 50 injured included 20 children and 3 U.S. soldiers. Two nearby houses were destroyed by the explosion; several of those killed and injured were in the houses. [41]

• 12 October 2005 (criminal)--At 8:13 AM, a man opened fire at Niutoushan Primary School, Guangde, Anhui, P.R.C. Liu Shibing, who had previously professed jealousy of others who had children, took six guns and fired on students exercising on the school grounds. Liu shot 16 students, 7 seriously, and the school principal; a worker near the school ran to the scene and was struck in the head by Liu. [42]

• 15 June 2006 (terrorism)--In Kabithigollewa, Sri Lanka, a bus carrying 150 people struck a pair of land mines or bombs, killing 64 and injuring at least 80. Many children were aboard the bus en route to school, and at least 15 were killed. The attack was attributed to the Tamil Tigers; the Sri Lankan government launched air strikes against Tamil sites later that day. [43]

• 27 September 2006 (criminal)--At a high school in Bailey, Colorado, a man entered a classroom about 11:30 AM, fired a warning shot, and selected six female students as hostages before ordered the teacher and other students from the classroom. Several hundred other students in the school were evacuated by police over the next 20 minutes or so. Over the next few hours the man released four hostages, then set a deadline of 4 PM. When it became clear that the man was sexually assaulting the hostages, authorities chose to raid the classroom. The man fatally shot one hostage, then killed himself. [44]

• 2 October 2006 (criminal)--A man entered a one-room Amish schoolhouse in Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania, about 10:00 AM, and ordered all but ten female students out of the schoolhouse. He then tied up the students and barricaded the doors with prepared wood he had brought to the site. An adult ran to a nearby building to call police; when police arrived, the man shot all the students and then killed himself. Five students died (ages, 7, 7, 8, 12, 13), and one more is not expected to survive. [45]

• 3 December 2006 (terrorism)--The al-Gharbiya high school in Baghdad was struck by a mortar round, injuring 10 students. It is unclear whether the intended target was the school or the nearby Iraqi health ministry. [46]

• 28 January 2007 (terrorism)--An all-girls Kholoud Secondary School in a Sunni district of west Baghdad was struck by a mortar attack. Students had just begun a break from classes and were gathering in an inner courtyard about 11:00 AM. At least two mortars landed in the courtyard among at least 100 students; casualties occurred both in the courtyard and inside classrooms from blown out windows. Four girls were killed immediately and a fifth girl died at a hospital, all ages 12 to 16; over other 20 students were injured. [47]

• 28 January 2007 (terrorism)--A suicide truck bomber struck an Iraqi security base near a primary school in Ramadi, Iraq. Two children at the school were killed and 10 injured; 3 guards at the base were also killed. [48]

• 20 February 2007 (terrorism)--A bomb was detonated on a chlorine tanker truck near a restaurant in Taji, Iraq. The bomb was aboard the tanker truck, contrary to early reports that the truck struck a roadside bomb. Some accounts suggest the truck was parked and left by the driver shortly before it detonated near a restaurant. Most or all of the fatalities and some injuries were caused by the explosion itself. The majority of non-fatal injuries, however, were from inhalation of chlorine fumes, affecting nearby homes and schools. About 150 people, including 42 women and 52 children, were hopitalized; others were treated or checked and did not require admission. [49]

• 6 August 2007 (terrorism)--A truck bomb was detonated in a residential area of Qubbak, near Tal Afar, Iraq. A dump truck filled with explosives, covered by gravel, was detonated by a suicide bomber. The morning explosion caused the collapse of several houses, with ten houses damaged in total. The 28 killed included 19 children, and a total of 50 people were injured. [50]

• 14 August 2007 (terrorism)--Multiple truck bombings in Al-Qataniyah and Al-Adnaniyah, Iraq, killed and injured hundreds. Four truck bombs reportedly carrying 2 tons of explosives were set off within minutes of each other in the two small villages, targeting members of the Yazidi sect in northern Iraq. Early reports said the trucks were gas tankers, but later reports indicated they were garbage trucks driven into the two villages and announced to be carrying food rations; after crowds gathered around the trucks, they were detonated. Hundreds of clay houses were destroyed, burying many victims. Both villages were largely destroyed, with 1,000 houses destroyed and 500 damaged. On 17 August the Sinjar governor reported that 344 were known dead, with 400 injured and 70 others missing. Subsequent estimates of the number of fatalities ranged from 360 to 500. On 21 August the Iraqi Red Crescent Society reported that between 500 and 525 were killed and 1,500 injured, of which perhaps 300 were injured seriously. Of 300 patients transported to Sinjar, all had been taken home by relatives by 21 August, most fearing for their safety; 15 remained hospitalized at Tal Afar. [51]

• 12 October 2007 (terrorism)--A bomb in a toy cart was detonated on a playground in Tuz Khurmato, Iraq. Two boys from 10 to 12 years old were killed, and 17 people under 18 years old were injured. The bomber, reportedly a would-be suicide bomber, was wounded after pushing the cart into the play area when the bomb exploded. [52]

• 6 November 2007 (terrorism)--A suicide bombing targeted a public event in Baghlani-jadid, Afghanistan. Afghan lawmakers were visiting a sugar factory and were being greeted by schoolchildren lined along the street when the attack occurred. Security personnel began shooting into crowds afterwards, firing for 3-5 minutes. The 77 killed included 6 Afghan lawmakers, 5 teachers, 5 adult civilians and police officers, and 61 children, all boys ranging in age from 8 to 18. Reports of the number injured vary, but include 93 students, at least 3 teachers, and possibly additional adults. Earlier reports of 106 injured of whom 84 were hospitalized may include some who later died of wounds. Five of those hospitalized were suffering from bullet wounds, and one lawmaker who died may have been killed by gunfire. On 17 November it was reported that a preliminary UN report found that up to two-thirds of the casualties were hit by bullets fired by bodyguards. [53]

• 7 November 2007 (criminal)--An 18-year-old entered a high school in Tuusula, Finland, and shot multiple students. The gunman had posted an online video warning of the attack about two hours before, showing a still image of the high school. The police received a call at 11:43 AM and arrived at 11:55 AM, making contact with the gunman who shot once at police and eventually shot himself in the head; he was found by police about 2 hours after they arrived at the school. Five students were killed, all boys 16 to 18 years old, along with a female adult education student, a school nurse, and the school principal. Ten students were lightly injured, one with a shooting-related injury. In addition the gunman died of his self-inflicted wound later that day. Students at the school range in age from 12 to 18. [54]

Analysis:

(under construction)

Sources:

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26. BBC, "Arrests over Dagestan bombing," 25 June 2002, BBC News, on line [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2064253.stm]; BBC, "Dagestan mourns parade victims," 10 May 2002, BBC News, on line [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/1978377.stm]; BBC, "Deadly blast hits Russian parade," 9 May 2002, BBC News, on line [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/1976776.stm].
27. "Violence in our schools," on line [http://columbine-angels.com/Shootings-2000-2010.htm].
28. BBC, 3 June 2002, on line, BBC [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/2024055.stm]; Dorn, Michael, and Chris Dorn, 2005, Innocent Targets: When Terrorism Comes to School, Safe Havens Int'l.
29. AP, "China arrests two on charges they put rat poison in school food, sickening 193 students and teachers," 12 Dec. 2002, FoodHACCP.com, on line [http://foodhaccp.com/msgboard.mv?parm_func=showmsg+parm_msgnum=1006289].
30. People's Daily, "Kindergarten poisoning perpetrator executed," 4 Jan. 2003, China Through a Lens, on line [http://www.china.org.cn/english/2003/Jan/52775.htm].
31. Leyden, Joel, "Israel mourns 4 children, mother murdered in terror attack," 2 May 2004, Israel News Agency, on line [http://www.israelnewsagency.com/israelpalestineterrorism127691.html].
32. MFA, "Victims of Palestinian violence and terrorism since September 2000," 2004, Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on line [http://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/terrorism-%20obstacle%20to%20peace/palestinian%20terror%20since%202000/victims%20of%20palestinian%20violence%20and%20terrorism%20sinc].
33. BBC, "Knife attack at Beijing nursery," 4 Aug. 2004, BBC News, on line [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/3534042.stm].
34. BBC, "Agony as school death toll rises," 4 Sept. 2004, BBC News, on line [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3627030.stm]; BBC, "At a glance: Russian school siege," 3 Sept. 2004, BBC News, on line [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3624136.stm]; BBC, "Eyewitness: hostage terror," 3 Sept. 2004, BBC News, on line [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3625202.stm]; BBC, "High death toll in Russia siege," 3 Sept. 2004, BBC News, on line [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3624024.stm]; BBC, "Russia to launch Beslan inquiry," 10 Sept. 2004, BBC News, on line [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3645022.stm]; CNN, "Russia seige toll tops 350," 4 Sept. 2004, CNN, on line [http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/europe/09/04/russia.school/index.html]; Eckel, Mike, "Death toll rises in Russia school standoff," 4 Sept. 2004, Yahoo! News, on line [http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040904/ap_on_re_eu/russia_school_seizure&cid=518&ncid=716]; FOX News, "Russian hostage crisis not over," 3 Sept. 2004, FOX News, on line [http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,131345,00.html]; Interfax, "Beslan hostage crisis death toll likely higher than 150--Aslakhanov," 3 Sept. 2004, Interfax, on line [http://www.interfax.ru/e/B/0/28.html?id_issue=10699577]; Interfax, "FSB fighting to crush Beslan militants' last position," 3 Sept. 2004, Interfax, on line [http://www.interfax.ru/e/B/0/28.html?id_issue=10699579]; Interfax, "Official puts number of Beslan hostages at over 1,000," 4 Sept. 2004, Interfax, on line [http://www.themoscowtimes.com/doc/HotNews.html#61583]; Interfax, "Twenty hostages killed during first 2 days," 4 Sept. 2004, Interfax, on line [http://www.themoscowtimes.com/doc/HotNews.html#61581]; Interfax, "Vladikavkaz hospitals accommodating 456," 3 Sept. 2004, Interfax, on line [http://www.interfax.ru/e/B/0/28.html?id_issue=10699582]; ITAR-TASS, "376 former hostages remain in hospital, 207 dead identified," 5 Sept. 2004, ITAR-TASS, on line [http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=1216604]; ITAR-TASS, "704, including 259 children, hospitalized after Beslan tradegy," 5 Sept. 2004, ITAR-TASS, on line [http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=1212066&PageNum=0]; McDonald, Marc, "Russian town bears scars of school attack," 6 March 2005, Dallas Morning News, p. 28A; The Moscow Times, "Hot News," 5 Sept. 2004, The Moscow Times, on line [http://www.themoscowtimes.com/doc/HotNews.html#61612]; Ostrovsky, Simon, "'Can we shoot the dogs?'," 3 Sept. 2004, The Moscow Times, on line [http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2004/09/03/002.html]; Saradzhyan, Simon, and Simon Ostrovskyk, "30 women and children freed in Beslan," 3 Sept. 2004, The Moscow Times, on line [http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2004/09/03/001.html]; Voitova, Yana, "Painful search for Beslan's missing," 13 Sept. 2004, The Moscow Times, p. 1, on line at [http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2004/09/13/003.html].
35. "Baghdad bombing kills 35 children," 30 Sept. 2004, KYW-TV/CBS, on line [http://kyw.com/iraq/iraq_story_274102230.html]; Daragahi, Borzou, "Terrorists strike U.S. ceremony in Iraq, kill 42," 1 Oct. 2004, Washington Times, on line [http://washingtontimes.com/world/20040930-114637-7023r.htm].
36. BBC, "Eight boys killed at China school," 26 Nov. 2004, BBC News, on line [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4044047.stm].
37. "Violence in our schools, January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2009," on line, School Violence [http://columbine-angels.com/Shootings-2005-2009.htm].
38. "Violence in our schools, January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2009," on line, School Violence [http://columbine-angels.com/Shootings-2005-2009.htm].
39. "Violence in our schools, January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2009," on line, School Violence [http://columbine-angels.com/Shootings-2005-2009.htm].
40. "Violence in our schools, January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2009," on line, School Violence [http://columbine-angels.com/Shootings-2005-2009.htm].
41. BBC, "Children die in Baghdad car bomb," 13 July 2005, BBC News, on line [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4678207.stm]; IRIN, "Iraq: Children killed in car bombing," 14 July 2005, IRIN, on line [http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=48124&SelectRegion=Middle_East]; Mosher, Andy, and Khalid Alsaffar, 14 July 2005, Washington Post, p. A19, on line at Washington Post [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/13/AR2005071300336.html].
42. "Violence in our schools, January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2009," on line, School Violence [http://columbine-angels.com/Shootings-2005-2009.htm].
43. BBC, "Sri Lanka bus blast kills dozens," 15 June 2006, BBC News, on line [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/5082026.stm]; Jayawardena, Eranga, "Bus bombing leads to retaliatory airstrikes in Sri Lanka," 15 June 2006, SignOnSanDiego, on line [http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/world/20060615-2048-srilanka-violence.html].
44. Tsai, Catherine, 28 Sept. 2006, "Police identify Colo. school gunman," ABC News, on line [http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=2502666].
45. ...
46. CNN, 3 Dec. 2007, "Sunday attacks in Baghdad kill 3, wound 26," CNN, on line [http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/12/03/sunday/index.html].
47. BBC, 28 Jan. 2007, "Iraq clashes 'kill 250 militants'," BBC News, on line [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6308365.stm]; Cave, Damien, 28 Jan. 2007, "Schools caught up in the Iraqi carnage," International Herald Tribune, on line [http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/01/28/news/iraq.php]; IRIN, 30 Jan. 2007, "Widespread condemnation of fatal attack on girl's school," ElectronicIraq.net, on line [http://electroniciraq.net/news/2872.shtml]; Yacoub, Sameer N., 28 Jan. 2007, "4 killed in attack on school in Baghdad," Forbes, on line [http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/01/28/ap3369054.html].
48. BBC, 28 Jan. 2007, "Iraq clashes 'kill 250 militants'," BBC News, on line [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6308365.stm]; BBC, 28 Jan. 2007, "Pupils killed as Iraq schools hit," BBC News, on line [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6307587.stm].
49. Berthelsen, Christian, 21 Feb. 2007, "Rape allegations amid Iraq car bombings," Los Angeles Times, on line [http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-ex-iraq21feb22,0,3966937.story?coll=la-home-headlines]; Cave, Damien, and Ahmad Fadam, 21 Feb. 2007, "Militants using chemical bombs in Iraq," New York Times, on line [http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/21/world/middleeast/21cnd-baghdad.html]; CNN, 21 Feb. 2007, "Scores choke in poison gas attack," CNN, on line [http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/02/20/iraq.main/]; Murphy, Brian, 21 Feb. 2007, "Gas tanker blast kills nine in Iraq," ABC News, on line [http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=2891031].
50. Ahmed, Hamid, 6 Aug. 2007, "19 children among victims of Iraq bombing," Globe and Mail, on line [http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070806.wiraq0803/BNStory/International/home]; Young, Linda, 6 Aug. 2007, "Iraq suicide bombings leave 39 dead, 83 wounded," AHN, on line [http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7008116832].
51. BBC, 17 Aug. 2007, "Iraq bomb death toll reaches 344," BBC News, on line [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6951221.stm]; Cave, Damien, and James Glanz, 21 Aug. 2007, "Toll rises above 500 in Iraq bombings," International Herald Tribune, on line [http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/08/22/africa/22iraq.php]; Kemick, April, 20 Aug. 2007, "London Yazidis shocked by Iraqi suicide attack," London Free Press, on line [http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/News/Local/2007/08/20/4431296-sun.html]; Partlow, Joshua, 17 August 2007, "Iraqi Shiites, Kurds announce new political alliance, Washington Post, p. A18, on line at Washington Post [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/16/AR2007081601005.html?hpid=moreheadlines]; Reuters, 22 Aug. 2007, "Iraqi Red Crescent says 500 killed in Yazidi attack," Reuters India, on line [http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-29099320070822]; Reuters, 22 Aug. 2007, "Chronology--Major bombings in Iraq since 2003," Reuters, on line [http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L22808901.htm]; Williams, Carol J., 15 Aug. 2007, "Death tolll passes 250 in Iraq bombings," Los Angeles Times, on line [http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-iraq16aug16,0,3578329.story?coll=la-home-world].
52. Al-Khariralla, Mussab, 12 Oct. 2007, "Iraq bomb in toy cart hits children in playground," Yahoo! News, on line [http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071012/ts_nm/iraq_dc].
53. Abrashi, Fisnik, 9 Nov. 2007, "59 schoolchildren killed in Afghan blast," AP, on line [http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5i8dGftYb0s4XWdUMRdIVs3vh1CKAD8SQ8B000]; Daily Times, 10 Nov. 2007, "Afghanistan's 'biggest' bomb attack killed 59 schoolboys," Daily Times, on line [http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007%5C11%5C10%5Cstory_10-11-2007_pg7_52]; Kroeger, Alix, 8 Nov. 2007, "Afghanistan holds funeral for MPs," BBC News, on line [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7084785.stm]; Seir, Ahmad, and Amir Shah, 7 Nov. 2007, "Death toll hits 68 in Afghan blast," Guardian Unlimited, on line [http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-7058401,00.html]; Shah, Amir, 8 Nov. 2007, "Afghan funerals begin for 73," The Washington Times, on line [http://washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071108/FOREIGN/111080099/1003]; Straziuso, Alisa Tang Jason, and Fisnik Abrashi, 17 Nov. 2007, "Gunfire hit most of Afghan bomb victims," Yahoo! News, on line [http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071117/ap_on_re_as/afghan_bombing_aftermath]; VOA News, 8 Nov. 2007, "Afghans bury lawmakers killed in country's deadliest suicide attack," Voice of America, on line [http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-11-08-voa31.cfm]; Wafa, Abdul Waheed, 7 Nov. 2007, "Death toll in Afghan bombing at 52," New York Times, on line [http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/07/world/asia/08afghan.html?_r=1&ref=world&oref=slogin].
54. AFP, 8 Nov. 2007, "Grief and disbelief in Finland after school massacre," AFP, on line [http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jO2rwRE57abJuNIDqJEP34QMT9ZA]; BBC, 7 Nov. 2007, "Fatal shooting at Finnish school," BBC News, on line [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7082795.stm]; Ben-Aaron, Diana, and Juho Erkheikki, 7 Nov. 2007, "Finnish school gun attack leaves eight people dead," Bloomberg.com, on line [http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=a3BWzl1casvM&refer=home].

© 2004-2006, 2007 by Wm. Robert Johnston.
Last modified 17 November 2007.
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