The recent and long-lasting pain of violence has been taking a toll on Atlanta. 

From the school shootings to gang violence, Atlanta has been hurting. There were at least 428 shootings in the United States this past year, according to Teachers College, Columbia University. One of the deadliest of 2024 was the Sept. 4 shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, less than an hour away from Atlanta. In this tragedy, there were nine people physically harmed, and four people passed away. The incident was shocking, alarming, and devastating. Parents around the U.S. are outraged, but local parents are even more mortified. 

The day following the incident, a list of schools targeted for shootings was sent to the Dekalb County parents. There was barely any news coverage of this email, but it was confirmed to be sent to parents for safety precautions. The schools on the list ranged from high schools such as Lakeside, Druid Hills, and Tucker, and middle schools such as Henderson and Chamblee. Many stayed home for days following Sept. 4. As a student, my school wasn’t on the list, but the anxiety I felt was driven by the constant fear that it could happen at my school. I knew I wasn’t alone when many seats were empty in classes. 

I spoke to Lili Rodgers, 18, a senior in high school, and asked her how she felt about the recent violence. She said, “When I first heard about the shooting I was scared and confused.”

She explained how the new policy that she refers to as  “no phones on bodies” made her anxious at the idea of not being able to text her family if something was going on. She said, “I think the policies should be more relaxed in the halls to be able to check any messages and see if there was a shooter in your area.” 

Rodgers, who struggles with mental illness, is also concerned about the recent “correlation” between violence and mental health. 

“For the week after Apalachee, there was a difference, but nothing long-term,” she said. “I don’t know that there are any actions my school has taken to make us feel safer. I think they should have done something, but I’m not sure what.” She continued, “I wish we would have had the opportunity to go the Capitol to talk to people and tell them how we are hurting and upset and need a change.” 

From 2013 to 2019 gun violence increased by 25%, according to The Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence. Police reports and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirms that these incidents are often preventable, underscoring the need for stronger preventative measures, policy changes, and community intervention strategies. These recurring themes have far-reaching consequences, particularly when it comes to the mental health of those involved.

Mental health professional Jillian Peterson has expressed growing concerns about the trauma these events cause, noting that the ripple effect extends beyond the immediate victims to the entire community. This cycle of violence and displacement needs to be addressed with proactive solutions aimed at preventing future incidents and fostering safer environments.

Some of the most devastating incidents involve teens as both perpetrators and victims. Gun violence shows up in news articles daily. With all of the school shootings, police shootings, and random shootings at places such as shopping centers, teens start to wonder where they can feel safe. 

According to a study published in Pediatrics, the official peer-reviewed journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, “In 2020, firearm injuries became the leading cause of death among US children and adolescents.” Later the researches continue, “In 2021, firearms continued to be the leading cause of death among US children. From 2018 to 2021, there was a 41.6% increase in the firearm death rate.” 

With this increasing trend, some teens feel that there are no safe places for teenagers. This is sometimes normalized with the phrase “just another statistic,” which means that someone’s situation is not unique because the incident is so common. This phrase minimizes the world’s tragedies, boiling people down to a number. 

School shootings are a topic that’s important to me for multiple reasons,” says Rodgers. “[Students] are just going to school every day, or [teachers] are just trying to teach every day. We shouldn’t be scared.”

Editor’s Note: If you are looking for ways you can help, please visit and support Sandy Hook Promise, the organization started by parents of the victims of the tragic 2012 shooting.