ZeroEyes releases first ‘Back to School Gun Violence Report’

PHILADELPHIA — AI-based gun detection video analytics platform ZeroEyes has announced that its pioneering Gun Violence Research Center has released its first “Back to School Gun Violence Report”.

 The annual report examines relevant incidents and trends in K-12 and higher education over the course of the 2022-23 to 2023-24 school years and conducts comparisons between them. According to ZeroEyes’ on ongoing research conducted by the center, the U.S. is on track to see over 1,000 gun-violence-related incidents in education by the end of the 2024-25 school year.

The report looks beyond mass fatality attacks to study the patterns and trends of when, where, and how shootings in educational settings occur. It provides empirical data and unique insights to decision-makers such as school district superintendents, university deans, and government officials, enabling them to make informed safety decisions supported by reliable data.

Key findings include:

• In 2023-24, gun violence incidents within the education sector increased by 47% over the previous school year, but the situations deemed “active shooters” decreased by 25%.
• Non-lethal and imitation gun use increased by 89.6%, though no type of gun was preferred in this sector.  
• While there was a decline in “mass shooting” incidents, the amount of fatalities and injuries still increased.
• K-12 institutions saw a sharp increase in fake guns and false active shooter reports, while higher education experienced a rise in gun violence incidents related to the escalation of a dispute.

The ZeroEyes Gun Violence Research Center provides a comprehensive analysis of all forms of gun violence across various U.S. commercial and infrastructure sectors. Its research helps schools and businesses better understand the severity of gun-related violence so that they can make informed decisions regarding their security investments.

“The more we understand the complex realities of gun-related violence in our educational systems, the better equipped we are to prevent its devastating impacts,” said Mike Lahiff, CEO and co-founder of ZeroEyes. “This report will help to foster a culture of preparedness and resilience, where every measure taken contributes to saving lives and ensuring a more secure future for all."

The full report can be accessed here.