Young Killers

In 1996, some children go into schools through metal detectors. Armed police officers may be present. A generation before, the biggest concerns there were running in the halls and chewing gum.

Now, a young person may be shot to death in the hall. A school bus dispute ends with one teenager dead and another starting a long journey through the criminal justice system. A simple argument at a carnival ends with a girl stabbing another to death. Experts are predicting the number of teenage murderers will continue to increase. A national poll finds a majority of young children fear they might die young.

Here are a collection of resources and stories we've reported regarding youngsters, violence, and their fears.

Young Killers Stop The Violence: Youngsters Out of Control
In 1993, THE RUNDOWN reported on projects by several stations.

"I popped the trigger. That's how it is. You ain't gonna let nobody pop the trigger on you, and do nothin' about it ..." --- Youngster in report on KRON-TV, San Francisco.

Other Projects, More Coverage
Here are more articles that you can refer to in your past issues of THE RUNDOWN.

Poll: Many youngsters fear threats
Young people of every age group are exposed to safety and health threats such as gangs, drugs, weapons and unsafe sex. The extent of their fears was measured in a Kaiser Permanente and Children Now poll in October, 1995.

Study: Children are often victims
The vast majority of prison inmates whose victims were under 18 committed a sexual assault or molestation, according to a Justice Department study. The extent of the brutality directed against youngsters is documented in page after page.

For additional information, check the Justice Department or search its Criminal Justice Information Center.

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