Giving Compass' Take:

· On May 18th, a gunman opened fire at Santa Fe High School near Galveston, Texas. The 74 provides updates on the tragedy and information about what we know.

· This year alone, there have been 22 school shootings in the US. How does this statistic compare to other countries? What can Americans do to prevent future tragedies?

· Read about counting every school shooting to prevent it from becoming normal. 

Eight students and two teachers were killed in a recent massacre at Santa Fe High School. At least 13 people were injured, including 2 law enforcement officers.

The suspect, 17-year old Dimitrios Pagourtzis, an honor-roll student and former football player, reportedly confessed to the rampage and told authorities that he spared students he liked so that “he could have his story told.” The family of Shana Fisher, a 16-year old student who was among those killed Friday, told the Los Angeles Times that they believe their daughter was targeted because she repeatedly rejected the gunman’s attempts to date her.

The gunman surrendered, apparently abandoning a plan to kill himself, about a half hour after entering an art classroom armed with a .38 caliber and Remington shotgun, said Galveston County Judge Mark Henry. While Pagourtzis faces charges of capital murder and aggravated assault on a peace officer, he cannot face the death penalty.

Here’s what we know so far:

  1. Suspect is in custody, but motive is not yet known.
  2. There is a possible accomplice.
  3. Little is known (yet) about the identities of the victims.
  4. Police found explosives at the school.
  5. Nearly 3 months ago, officials placed the school on lockdown after reports of gunshots.
  6. There are “thoughts and prayers” — and some pushback.
  7. The shooting occurred just a day after Education Secretary Betsy DeVos held a “closed” meeting with survivors of previous mass shootings.

Read the full article about the Santa Fe tragedy by Taylor Swaak at The 74.