Barry Dale Loukaitis
Frontier Junior High School — February 2, 1996
Moses Lake, Washington
- .30‑30 Winchester hunting rifle
- .22‑caliber revolver
- .25‑caliber semi‑automatic pistol
Crime
Barry Dale Loukaitis walked into his algebra classroom at Frontier Middle School (then Frontier Junior High), dressed in a long black coat and armed with multiple firearms, and what totaled to roughly 78 rounds of ammunition. Once inside, he opened fire on his classmates and teacher during fifth‑period math. He fatally shot **two classmates — Manuel Vela Jr. and Arnold “Arnie” Fritz, both 14 — and his algebra teacher, Leona Caires, age 49, who was a mother of four. Another student, 13‑year‑old Natalie Hintz, was critically wounded with gunshot injuries to her arm and abdomen. After the initial attack, Loukaitis held his remaining classmates hostage until gym coach Jonathan Lane entered the room, wrestled the rifle from him, and pinned him down until police arrived. The shooting left three people dead and one badly wounded before it ended.
Victims
- Manuel Vela Jr., 14 — student, killed by gunfire
- Arnold “Arnie” Fritz, 14 — student, killed by gunfire
- Leona Caires, 49 — teacher, shot and killed
- Natalie Hintz, 13 — student, wounded
Motive
Loukaitis’ motive was complex and rooted in psychological turmoil, not any broad ideology. He claimed to have intended to kill only one student he felt had bullied him, but the spray fire from his rifle resulted in multiple deaths. Evidence from his trial suggested he suffered from severe mood swings, clinical depression, and possibly psychotic or messianic thoughts, according to defense psychiatrists. Prosecutors noted that Loukaitis had carefully planned the attack, drawing inspiration from violent media (including the novel Rage by Stephen King) and fueled by emotional pain, a sense of inferiority, and resentment. His mother’s repeated discussions of suicide and family dysfunction likely played a role in his mental state leading up to the shooting, though there was no single clear “trigger” beyond a mix of bullying, domestic instability, and untreated psychological distress.
Reputation
At school, Loukaitis was viewed as intelligent and studious but socially isolated. He enjoyed reading and writing, and he stood out for his interest in dark literary themes. Classmates testified that he was teased about his home situation, his big feet, his lanky build, and the cowboy‑style clothes he wore, including the long trench coat he wore on the day of the shooting. He had developed a fascination with violent media: investigators noted he had 28 Stephen King books in his room and was familiar with the music video for Pearl Jam’s “Jeremy,” which itself was inspired by a school violence story. In the week before the shooting, he was described as increasingly detached and talking about death and killing in class and among peers, but no one anticipated he would act on it violently.
Gear
-Upbringing
Loukaitis spent his early childhood in Iowa and Minnesota before his family moved to Washington. His parents, Terry Loukaitis and JoAnn Phillips, owned a sandwich and ice‑cream shop in Moses Lake. The Loukaitis household was deeply troubled: his parents separated in 1995 after his mother discovered his father was having an affair, and by early 1996 they were in the midst of a bitter divorce. His mother struggled with depression and often spoke to Barry about suicide, even suggesting they would kill themselves together on Valentine’s Day. Loukaitis tried to talk her out of it, but the emotional instability at home was profound. Psychologists found evidence of clinical depression and mood disorders in Barry and family history on both sides, and he had been taking medication for attention and mood issues.
Aftermath
Loukaitis was tried as an adult, convicted in September 1997 of aggravated first‑degree murder and kidnapping, and originally sentenced to two mandatory life terms plus 205 years without the possibility of parole. In 2017, after changes in juvenile sentencing law, he was resentenced to 189 years in prison.
In the immediate aftermath, Frontier Middle School and the Moses Lake community were traumatized. Local residents gathered to grieve, and memorials and support services were held for students and families. Gym coach Jonathan Lane was widely hailed as a hero for disarming Loukaitis and saving many lives, later earning public recognition and honors years after the incident. Law enforcement and school officials reviewed security procedures, and there was increased focus on mental health screening and access to counseling for students.
The wounded student, Natalie Hintz, survived but required extensive medical treatment and experienced lasting physical and psychological effects. In the years after, tragedies linked to the shooting’s victims — including suicides among family members — underscored the deep and long‑lasting impact on the community. Moses Lake’s civilians and students carried the memory of this event forward as an early and sobering example of school violence in modern America.
Frederick Martin Davidson
San Diego State University — August 16, 1996
San Diego, California
- -
Crime
In the Engineering Building at San Diego State University, 36‑year‑old Frederick Davidson opened fire during what was supposed to be a master’s thesis defense meeting. At around 2:05 p.m., Davidson pulled a 9 mm Taurus PT92 semi‑automatic handgun from a first‑aid kit on the classroom wall and began shooting. He fired at least 23 rounds, first hitting Dr. Chen Liang, his graduate adviser, then D. Preston Lowrey III and Constantinos Lyrintzis — all professors on the panel. Two of the victims were shot in the main room, and the third was pursued and killed in an adjoining space. Three graduate students who were present escaped unharmed. Davidson surrendered to San Diego State University police just minutes after the attack, crying and begging officers to shoot him, and was taken into custody without further violence.
Victims
- Chen Liang, 32 — assistant professor of mechanical engineering
- D. Preston Lowrey III, 44 — associate professor of mechanical engineering
- Constantinos Lyrintzis, 36 — associate professor of aerospace engineering and engineering mechanics
Motive
Investigators concluded that Davidson’s motivation stemmed from deep‑seated paranoia and resentment toward the three professors evaluating his thesis. He believed — incorrectly — that they were in a conspiracy to reject his thesis and block his future employment opportunities. Davidson had already experienced a thesis rejection, and the defense meeting on August 15, 1996, was his final chance to salvage his degree; failure would likely have ended his academic career and his hopes for job prospects. He told people he felt the faculty was “out to get him,” and police reported that he hid the loaded handgun and several extra magazines in the classroom hours before the meeting began. The conspiracy belief, combined with pressure over his academic progress and career prospects, culminated in the violent act.
Reputation
Davidson’s reputation among peers and faculty was complex. On one hand, he was intelligent and hardworking, co‑authoring research with faculty and spending years on his thesis project. Classmates and colleagues said he was quiet and focused on his academic work, though he did not have a vibrant social life. Some described him as a person who “devoted himself entirely to his job” and seemed inwardly troubled at times, but not outwardly violent. Around campus he was known as someone who struggled to find employment after completing his bachelor’s degree, which led him to continue in graduate studies in hopes of strengthening his prospects.
Gear
-Upbringing
Frederick Martin Davidson was born in 1960. He became a graduate student in mechanical engineering at San Diego State after years of study — in fact, he had been at the university since the late 1980s, earning a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering in 1991 before transitioning to his master’s program. He was described by acquaintances as highly educated, dedicated to his research, and deeply invested in finishing his degree. He also served in the U.S. Army, adding a layer of early life structure and training to his profile. Davidson lived modestly in a rented room near campus and worked part‑time in the engineering department while pursuing his advanced degree.
Aftermath
Immediately after the shooting, Davidson sat in the hallway surrounded by police, sobbing and urging them to kill him, but he surrendered without further violence. He later called 9‑1‑1 himself and left a note directing police to evidence and files in his home. In 1997, Davidson pleaded guilty to three counts of murder in a plea deal that spared him the death penalty and was sentenced to three consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole.
San Diego State University and the SDSU community mourned the loss of the three professors, all respected academics and mentors. The campus later established L3 Memorial Park near the engineering building as a tribute to the victims, and a memorial scholarship fund was created in honor of Dr. Preston Lowrey III. The incident prompted increased focus on campus safety, mental health awareness, and the importance of conflict resolution and support for graduate students facing academic pressures.
Evan Ramsey
Bethel Regional High School — February 19, 1997
Bethel, Alaska
- Mossberg 500 12‑gauge pump‑action shotgun
Crime
In the middle of February, student Evan Ramsey walked into Bethel Regional High School, armed with a 12‑gauge pump‑action shotgun and a paper bag of ammunition. Arriving by school bus, he entered the student commons area just before classes began. Ramsey first shot 15‑year‑old student Josh Palacios in the abdomen, a boy he had clashed with previously; Palacios later died after emergency surgery in Anchorage. Ramsey then shot and wounded two other students with pellets from his shotgun as chaos erupted in the crowded space. After that, he walked into the main lobby and fatally shot principal Ronald D. Edwards, a veteran educator, twice — in the back and shoulder — killing him as teachers and students fled or took cover. Ramsey briefly engaged in an exchange of gunfire with responding police officers, though no officers were hit. He then retreated toward the commons area, placed the shotgun under his chin, declared “I don’t want to die,” and surrendered to police instead of shooting himself.
Victims
- Ronald D Edwards, 49 — principal, killed
- Joshua Palacios, 15 — student, killed
- Two other students aged 14 and 15 wounded by gunfire.
Motive
Ramsey’s motive has been tied to a combination of bullying, psychological trauma, and long‑standing emotional distress. He had complained of being harassed and teased by other students, including being called names like “Screech” after a TV character. In addition to peer victimization, Ramsey had a history of abuse in foster care and unstable family life, factors that likely contributed to his emotional suffering and resentment. More than a dozen students reportedly knew of his intent to carry out an attack in the weeks before February 19, with at least two assisting him by teaching him how to load and fire a shotgun or encouraging him with the idea that the shooting would make him infamous. His actions appear to have been driven by a desire to retaliate against perceived tormentors and exact dramatic violence on the school community, rather than any broad political or ideological aim.
Reputation
Among classmates, Ramsey was generally seen as a quiet, socially awkward and sullen young man who had difficulty making friends. Students described him as a misfit who was often absent from school and had a rebellious attitude that occasionally got him into trouble with teachers and the principal, Ronald Edwards. Witnesses said he had a shaved head and typically wore dark clothing, including black T‑shirts and jeans, and that he had previously threatened to bring a gun to school and shoot people, though those threats were not taken seriously at the time. Locals said he struggled socially and was frequently bullied and teased by peers, contributing to his reputation as an isolated, troubled teenager.
Gear
-Upbringing
Evan Ramsey was born on to Don and Carol Ramsey. His early life was marked by family instability and trauma. When he was five, his father was imprisoned for ten years after a police standoff; his mother developed alcoholism and the family’s house was set on fire, forcing them to move. At age seven, the Anchorage Department of Youth and Family Services removed Ramsey and his brothers from their mother’s custody and placed them in foster care, where he was separated from his older brother and lived in multiple foster homes over several years. Some of those homes were reportedly abusive, and his younger brother later said that foster siblings would pay others to beat Evan. At age ten, Ramsey and his brothers were placed with a foster mother in Bethel who later became their legal guardian. Ramsey suffered from depression from an early age and attempted suicide when he was about ten.
Aftermath
Ramsey was taken into custody without further violence and later tried as an adult in Anchorage. On December 2, 1998, he was found guilty of two counts of first‑degree murder, three counts of first‑degree attempted murder, and multiple counts of assault; he was originally sentenced to 210 years in prison, which was later reduced to two concurrent 99‑year sentences. He will be eligible for parole in 2066 at age 85.
The community of Bethel, a small town in southwestern Alaska, was deeply affected by the shooting, which was one of the deadliest school shootings in the state’s history. Counselors and crisis teams were brought in immediately to help students and staff process the trauma. In the years since, the Lower Kuskokwim School District implemented regular lockdown drills and updated emergency response training across its schools to improve safety and preparedness. The shooting also drew sustained attention to the effects of bullying, the importance of early intervention for youth in distress, and the role of community and mental health supports in preventing such tragedies.
Luke Woodham
Pearl High School — October 1, 1997
Pearl, Mississippi
- .22-caliber semi-automatic rifle
- .38-caliber revolver.
Crime
On October 1, 1997, 16-year-old Luke Woodham returned to Pearl High School after school, armed with a rifle and a revolver. Earlier that morning, Woodham had already killed his mother at their home, shooting her to prevent interference with his plans. He then went to school, entering the cafeteria during a lunch break. Once there, he opened fire on students, targeting peers he felt had wronged or humiliated him. Woodham killed two students — Cassie St. Cyr, age 16, and Jamey Rodemeyer, age 16 — and wounded seven others, some critically. Students and staff fled the area, with some taking cover under tables. The shooting lasted only minutes before Woodham dropped his weapons and surrendered to police officers arriving on the scene.
Victims
- Mary Ann Woodham, 50 — stabbed and bludgeoned with a knife and baseball bat at home earlier that morning
- Christina Michelle Menefee, 16 — shot point-blank in the lower neck/chest area) in the school commons
- Lydia Kaye Dew, 17 — shot in the commons area
- Stephanie Wiggins, sophmore — shot in the hip, shattering the bone which required multiple surgeries and physical therapy
- Alan Westbrook — sustained serious gunshot wounds; initially thought potentially fatal as he tripped while fleeing.
- Five others were wounded by gunfire to their limbs, torsos, etc., but all survived after medical treatment
Motive
His writing assignments revealed a dark temperament (e.g., violent fantasies about killing teachers/principals and suicide). After the shooting, peers and media highlighted his heavy bullying and rejection (including by an ex-girlfriend), which he cited in his manifesto as fueling rage ("I killed because people like me are mistreated every day"). He was part of a small group of similarly "unpopular" or fringe kids (including the alleged "Kroth" circle), but he wasn't seen as overtly violent or threatening beforehand.
Reputation
Many peers saw him as someone who didn't fit in—described as "weird," "nerdy," "overweight," and often alone or with few friends. He considered himself an outcast with very few friends, and sources note he had been picked on since kindergarten, with bullying escalating to physical levels over time (e.g., classmates calling him "chunky," "tubby," knocking books from his hands, or teasing him for his appearance, glasses, and clothes).
Some who knew him (including a former classmate who rode the bus with him and partnered in algebra) described him as quiet, respectful, and low-key—not disruptive or a discipline problem. School officials noted he (and others in the alleged group) were "quiet and just low-profile kids" with no prior record of major issues and above-average intelligence in some areas, though his grades had dropped significantly (he repeated 9th grade after giving up on schoolwork).
Gear
-Upbringing
Born to parents Mary Ann Woodham (a devout Southern Baptist) and John P. Woodham Jr. (an auditor described as "aloof"). As a toddler, he was described as a bright, energetic, blonde-haired, blue-eyed child with an active imagination who loved reading. However, by kindergarten, he was overweight, wore thick glasses, and was dressed in old-fashioned clothes with closely cropped hair that made him stand out negatively.
His parents were often called "polar opposites," with frequent and intense fighting that Luke witnessed from a young age. Neighbors reportedly called police multiple times due to the arguments and alleged abuse in the home. The marriage ended in divorce when Luke was in 6th grade (around age 11–12, circa 1992–1993). After the split, his father was largely absent from his life, leaving Luke feeling abandoned.
His dynamic with Mary Ann was complicated and strained. Luke claimed she blamed him for the divorce and for issues in her relationship with his older half-brother (John Woodham III, about 8 years older). He described their household as devoid of love, confessed hatred toward her to classmates, and felt she was overly controlling or critical. Despite this, some sources note her devotion to church and attempts at structure.
Luke reported suffering from depression starting around age 8. He was an outcast at school—bullied for his appearance, weight, and perceived differences—which compounded his isolation. This fed into deeper rage, involvement with fringe ideas (including the "Kroth" group and animal cruelty, like killing his dog as part of alleged rituals), and eventual claims of demonic influences during trial.
Aftermath
Luke Woodham was charged and convicted in two separate trials in 1998 for the October 1, 1997, Pearl High School shooting and related crimes.The first trial was for the murder of his mother, Mary Ann Woodham. In June 1998, a jury in Neshoba County (after a change of venue) convicted him of murder. Jurors rejected his insanity defense, and he was sentenced to life imprisonment in the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC). The second trial (for the school shooting) was shortly after, in Rankin County, he was convicted of two counts of murder (for students Christina Menefee and Lydia Kaye Dew) and seven counts of aggravated assault/attempted murder (for the wounded victims). Again rejecting the insanity defense, he received two consecutive life sentences plus seven 20-year sentences (140 years total for the assaults), to run consecutively.
His overall sentence is effectively three consecutive life terms plus 140 years. Appeals (including to the Mississippi Supreme Court in 2001) upheld the convictions. Conspiracy charges against several alleged "Kroth" group members were largely dropped due to insufficient evidence under Mississippi law. He remains incarcerated in the Mississippi Department of Corrections.
The Pearl community, a largely white, conservative, Christian suburb not accustomed to such violence, reacted with profound shock, grief, and a strong push for resilience. Students and residents held candlelight vigils and memorials at local churches, paying homage to the victims, while the town grappled with questions of "how this could happen here." Parents demanded the school reopen just days after the shooting, declaring, "We’re not letting these people take our school—every day we’re closed is a victory for them," showcasing a defiant spirit that emphasized unity and normalcy. Media coverage was intense, but locals pushed back against intrusive national outlets, with reporters noting a focus on empathy and restraint in their interactions. Students and staff were left distracted, fearful, and grief-stricken, but the community prioritized healing through church leaders, counseling, and open discussions on bullying and youth isolation. One year later, reflections highlighted a loss of innocence but gains in insight, with an emphasis on inclusiveness and violence prevention.
In direct response to the Pearl shooting, Mississippi passed a law making shooting on school grounds a capital offense, elevating it to one of the state's most severe crimes to deter future incidents. This was part of broader post-shooting reforms, including enhanced school safety protocols. Pearl High School and other Mississippi districts implemented active shooter trainings, tighter security measures (like controlled access and monitoring), and mentoring programs to address bullying and mental health. The community resisted turning schools into "fortresses" but supported balanced improvements, such as greater parent involvement and education on conflict resolution. Nationally, the incident contributed to discussions on arming school staff—Myrick's actions sparked debate, but he personally opposed it, citing the emotional toll. It also influenced federal efforts, like early anti-bullying initiatives and school violence research, as part of the pre-Columbine wave of shootings that led to the Gun-Free Schools Act expansions and increased funding for school counselors. Long-term, Mississippi schools have continued evolving safety plans, drawing lessons from Pearl to emphasize prevention over reaction.
Michael Adam Carneal
Heath High School — December 1, 1997
West Paducah, Kentucky
- .22-caliber Ruger pistol
Crime
The Heath High School shooting occurred on the first of December. 14-year-old freshman Michael Carneal opened fire with a stolen .22-caliber Ruger pistol on a group of students gathered in the school lobby for a voluntary before-school prayer meeting. He fired eight shots (after inserting earplugs), killing three girls and wounding five others. Fellow student Ben Strong talked him into dropping the gun and held him until Principal Bill Bond arrived to take custody. Carneal surrendered without resistance.
Victims
- Nicole Hadley, 14 — freshman basketball player and band member, fatally shot
- Jessica James, 17 — marching band member and Agape Club participant, suvived being shot but died during surgery later that day
- Kayce Steger, 15 — clarinetist and Agape Club member as well as softball player, shot and killed
- Missy Jenkins, 15 — shot in the chest and spine, paralyzed from the waist down
- Shelly Schaberg, 17 — homecoming queen and star athlete, lives with nerve damage affecting hand-eye coordination
- Hollan Holm, 14 shot and seriously injured
- Craig Keene — brother of a student who was shot, injured by gunfire
- One additional unnamed student (due to privacy) survived multiple gunshot wounds
Motive
Carneal's motive for the shooting remains complex and not fully reducible to a single explanation, as he himself has repeatedly stated that he cannot provide one clear reason for his actions. Evaluations and his own later accounts point to a combination of severe, undiagnosed paranoid schizophrenia—with symptoms including auditory hallucinations of "demonic" voices commanding him to commit the act, intense paranoia, and a distorted perception of reality—as the primary driving force. These mental health issues, which were only formally diagnosed after the shooting, caused him to experience extreme hyper-suspiciousness and delusions that persisted for years, even into parole hearings decades later.
Compounding this were feelings of alienation and rejection stemming from bullying at school, particularly homophobic teasing and slurs (such as being called "gay" or "faggot" after a false rumor in an eighth-grade newsletter), which made him feel ostracized and mistreated daily during his transition to high school. He also expressed a mistaken belief that his parents did not truly love him, despite coming from a stable and outwardly supportive family, and he cited general feelings of immaturity, social marginality, and perceived unfair treatment by peers. While he referenced a scene from the film The Basketball Diaries as something he thought about beforehand, this was not presented as a direct blueprint or primary inspiration. Importantly, the victims—members of a voluntary prayer group—were not individuals he specifically targeted for personal grudges; the attack appeared random in selection, carried out after he inserted earplugs and fired quickly before surrendering.
In his 2022 parole hearing and other statements, Carneal has described the act as unjustifiable, with "no excuse," and attributed it largely to his untreated mental illness and adolescent immaturity rather than calculated revenge or ideology.
Reputation
His reputation at Heath High School was that of a fairly average, unremarkable freshman—not exceptionally popular, but not a complete social outcast either. He was a B-student with no prior discipline problems, described as a "normal teenager" from a good family. He was small in stature (which made him a target for teasing), played in the marching band (where he overlapped with some victims like Missy Jenkins Smith), and had friends, though he sometimes teased others himself. Classmates and reports note he was bullied—frequently called "gay" or "faggot" after an eighth-grade student newsletter gossip column falsely suggested he liked another boy, with harassment intensifying from older band members and peers. He felt alienated, different, and picked on daily, especially during the transition from middle to high school. Despite this, he wasn't seen as overtly troubled or violent beforehand; warning signs (like stealing guns, paranoia, and dark fantasies in writings) emerged only in hindsight.
Gear
-Upbringing
Carneal's upbringing was in a stable, middle-class family in a tight-knit rural community near Paducah, Kentucky. He was the younger child of John Adam Carneal (a respected attorney) and Ann Adam Carneal (a homemaker). He grew up in a well-educated household with high academic expectations—his older sister Kelly was a standout student: a valedictorian, marching band member, school newspaper contributor, and choir participant. Sources describe his family as solid and supportive, with no major red flags like abuse, neglect, or extreme dysfunction noted publicly. However, Carneal later claimed a mistaken belief that his parents didn't love him, which contributed to his feelings of alienation (though this was tied more to his emerging mental illness than evident family dynamics).
Aftermath
Carneal was indicted as an adult on three counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder. In 1998, he pleaded guilty but mentally ill (diagnosed later with paranoid schizophrenia, hearing voices, etc.). He was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years (the maximum for a juvenile at the time; ineligible for death penalty due to age). He has remained incarcerated in the Kentucky Department of Corrections. After parole hearings (notably in 2022, where victims testified against release and he admitted still hearing voices), the board denied parole, requiring him to serve out his life sentence. As of late 2025 (latest reports from November 2025), he was transferred to Little Sandy Correctional Complex in Elliott County, Kentucky (from prior locations like Kentucky State Reformatory). No release has occurred—he continues serving life.
The rural, Bible Belt community was deeply shocked ("how could this happen here?"). Students returned quickly, emphasizing forgiveness—a banner reading "We Forgive You Mike" appeared the next day. Vigils, memorials (including a plaque at the school), and organ donation from one victim (Nicole Hadley) were highlighted positively (even noted by President Clinton). The community focused on healing through church support, counseling, and discussions on bullying/mental health, while grappling with long-term trauma (e.g., fear among younger siblings, enduring reminders for new students).
No major Kentucky-specific gun laws passed directly from this incident, but it contributed to national conversations on school violence (pre-Columbine wave). Heath and other districts enhanced security (e.g., controlled access, monitoring), active shooter training, and mental health/anti-bullying programs. Families filed lawsuits (e.g., $33 million against media/entertainment like Natural Born Killers, The Basketball Diaries, video games, and porn sites for alleged influence—most dismissed or settled minimally). It influenced broader pushes for school safety funding, counselor access, and juvenile mental health awareness.