With the recent shooting in the Covenant school in Nashville, Tennessee, which led to the deaths of 6 people, yet another disturbed individual is brought to light. Audrey Hale was a 28-year-old former art student who harboured extreme resentment toward the school. Hale was killed by the police 14 minutes after her shooting spree. Upon searching Hale’s home, they found detailed maps of the school and a manifesto. 

Several instances of severely disturbed individuals have committed some of the deadliest school shootings in America. Here is a look at 5 of the most dangerous school shooters in U.S. history. 

Also Read| Was Audrey Hale autistic? Nashville Covenant School shooting suspect bought 7 guns despite ’emotional disorder’

Adam Lanza 

Adam Lanza, a 20-year-old man, on 14th December 2012, shot his mother and went on a shooting rampage in the Sandy Hook Elementary School. He had previously attended that school as a young boy. He was single-handedly responsible for one of U.S. history’s most prominent school shootings, killing 26 people, including 20 children. The children who lost their lives were only 6 years old. Growing up, Lanza suffered from extreme anxiety, so much so that once he had to be admitted to the ER. Adam Lanza was also diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder, Asperger syndrome, and sensory-integration disorder. He committed suicide in one of the classrooms right after finishing his shooting spree.  

Also Read| Who was Nancy Lanza, Sandy Hook shooter Adam Lanzas mother?

Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold 

These two names have inspired numerous copycat killers to conduct school shootings, claiming innocent lives. The 1999 Columbine High School massacre on 20th April claimed the life of 12 people. Countless others were injured. The two twelfth graders were students of the school and had shown numerous signs of violent tendencies, which were left unaddressed. One of the most apparent instances was when the two boys made a video for a school project titled “Hitmen for Hire,” where they acted out swearing and killing students in the school hallway. With their mental illnesses remaining unaddressed, the two shooters committed suicide in the school’s library after committing their heinous crime. 

Seung-Hui Cho

16th April 2007 saw one of the deadliest school shootings- the Virginia Tech Shooting, which killed 32 individuals and wounded 17 others. This deadly rampage was carried out by one of the undergraduate students of the institute, Cho Seung-hui. At a very young age, Cho was diagnosed with depression and an anxiety disorder. Added to this was the fact that he was bullied throughout high school. During his time at Virginia Tech, he showed several signs of abnormal behaviour. While his project submissions and writings always talked about violence, no major step was taken to address the issue. In this case, too, the school shooter died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. 

Salvador Ramos

Considered the third deadliest school shooting in U.S. history, the Uvalde school shooting (24th May 2022) was responsible for the death of 21 people. The shooting was carried out by 19-year-old Salvador Ramos, who was a student at Uvalde High School. Before carrying out the attack, Ramos had sent a message on Facebook stating that he was about to shoot up an elementary school. Following this, he shot his grandmother and stole the family truck to drive to Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Florida. Ramos had no known record of mental health issues. However, reports stated that Ramos had legally purchased 2 AK-47 rifles and ammunition upon turning 18. 

Also Read| Uvalde shooter Salvador Ramos’ body was rejected by Texas morgues: Report

Nikolas Cruz

The Parkland, Florida, shooting in the Marjory Stoneman High School on 14th February 2018 was committed by a former student, Nikolas Cruz, 19. He killed 17 individuals, injuring 17 others. Following this, he tried to blend in with the crowd, hoping that he would evade escaping. Once caught, Cruz was charged with life in prison without the possibility of parole. Cruz’s behavioural issues began as a child with his inability to fit in with other students. As a result, he faced a lot of transfers and was even once expelled. He had threatened students of his school on numerous instances, and his social media portrayed pictures of him carrying numerous weapons.