Photographer Kathy Shorr delves deeply into the heartache caused by gun violence in the United States through her latest project, “SHOT: We the School Community.” In this installment, she captures the experiences of those affected by school shootings, continuing a journey that has spanned 13 years. Her work aims to document the lives of individuals impacted by these tragic events.
A Personal and Profound Choice for Participants
Participants in Shorr’s project select locations that are personally significant, either confronting the trauma or embracing spaces of healing. “I gave them the autonomy to choose a place of profound significance to them,” Shorr explains. These choices reflect the dual nature of their experiences: a return to the site of tragedy or a retreat to sanctuary.
If you’re interested in more artistic interpretations of complex social issues, Kapi Michalska’s provocative Polish portraits offer a unique perspective through a blend of reality and abstraction.
Melissa. Alexander Covenant School, Nashville, Tennessee.On March 27, 2023, a 28 year old former student shot and killed three nine-year-olds and three adults, including the school principal at The Covenant School. Melissa’s son, Ozzy, was a student at the school. Some of the students and teachers fled the school and ran down the hill to the local firehouse. They were hiding inside the locked firehouse when some parents went by there looking for their children (this was before the reunification locations were set up). Melissa saw Ozzy inside the firehouse and both of them put their hands on the glass to connect.
Elijah Rivera-Rodriguez, Apalachee High School, Winder Georgia.In September 2024, a new 14-year-old student came to Apalachee HS with an assault rifle given to him by his father, even though he had mental health issues. He killed two students and two teachers. His father was charged and convicted facing more than 100 years in prison. He is the second parent in the nation to be held responsible for a mass shooting by their child.Elijah is standing on the athletic field which was the reunification location after the shooting for parents and students. The process took most of the day to complete. Elijah said that he will never forget the day that this happened.
Brothers (Arlo, Julian and Dario) the Annunciation School, Minneapolis Minnesota.On August 27, 2025, a 23 year old, former student of the school brought an AR-15-style rifle to the school, along with a shotgun and handgun. The 300 students were in the church attending Mass for the opening of the school year. The shooter barricaded the doors and fired 120 rounds through the church’s stained glass windows. Two students were killed and 28 people were injured in the shooting before the shooter died by suicide.All three brothers were in the church when the shooting occurred. Arlo, the boy in the white shirt, was hit with shrapnel in the head and back. All three boys are in therapy and do not wish to go back inside of the church.
April Elrod, The Robb Elementary School, Uvalde Texas.April’s daughter, Makenna, was killed during the shooting at Robb Elementary School. She is photographed on the family farm with Makenna’s horse, Little Red. April and her family (parents and three children) go to fairs with their animals to give children the chance to interact with them.
Andrew Speers, Evergreen High School, Evergreen Colorado.In September 2025, a 16 year old student at Evergreen HS brought a 38 caliber gun to school. At lunchtime, he began firing at teachers and students who were eating lunch. Two students were physically injured and many others emotionally traumatized during the course of nine minutes before the shooter killed himself.Andrew teaches graphic arts, photography and mountain bike repair at the school. He is also the coach of the Mountain Bike Club. He was sitting with a group of fellow teachers in the cafeteria when the shooter targeted this group first. He now has trouble remembering all that happened during the shooting.
Visceral Coverage Across America and American Sites
Shorr’s work spans various educational levels, from elementary schools to universities, chronicling the stories of individuals from places like Oxford High School in Michigan, Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas, and Michigan State University. The diverse locations underline her poignant message: “No one is safe from gun violence in our schools, or anywhere in America.”
Zoe Touray Oxford High School, Oxford Michigan.Zoe is the older sister of Abu Touray (below). She was a senior at Oxford High School when the shooting occurred. She is photographed at a coffee shop where many of the students would go after school. Zoe started a small non-profit to help others who have experienced school shootings.
Nancy and Ted Verner Michigan State University, Lansing Michigan.In the evening of February 13, 2023, a man got off of a local Lansing bus and walked onto the MSU campus. He entered an unlocked building on campus and opened the back door (with a broken lock) to a classroom that had an ongoing class. He shot and killed two students in the class and injured five others. He then continued to walk on the campus and he killed another student before killing himself when confronted by police three hours later and off campus.Nancy and Ted’s daughter, Alex, an athlete and student sitting in the classroom, was killed. Nancy and Ted asked me to photograph them at the location where Alex was killed. They are standing inside of Berkey Hall and I am outside looking in. They have a non-profit and raise money for scholarships for students.
Abby, The Robb Elementary School, Uvalde Texas.The Uvalde school shooting occurred on May 24, 2022, when an 18 year old former student fatally shot 19 students and two teachers at the Robb Elementary School. Twelve-year-old Abby was a student at the school. She was best friends with Tess, one of the students killed in the shooting. Abby has made her room into a shrine for Tess. She is now home-schooled.
Abu Touray, Oxford High School, Oxford Michigan.A 15 year old student opened fire at Oxford HS killing four students and wounding seven in November 2021. His parents had bought him the gun even though he had severe mental health concerns. They were sentenced to 10-15 years in prison for involuntary manslaughter.Abu was a freshman at the high school when this occurred. Now as a senior he is still traumatized by the events of that day.
Addressing a Polarizing Issue
Shorr critiques the divisive discourse surrounding gun violence, advocating for securing firearms in homes with children or mentally impaired individuals. Using examples of shootings at Oxford High and Apalachee High Schools, she emphasizes the consequences of negligence, where parents faced imprisonment for failing to secure guns responsibly.
Shorr argues, “This should not be an issue open to debate. Both the auto and tobacco industries in America came together to create common sense laws that protected everyone.”
Emily Dorman Florida Sate University, Tallahassee Florida.Emily was a freshman when I photographed her and was a senior in high school. Both of her parents had gone to FSU and it was Emily’s dream school. She never had a time that she thought about attending another college. After the shooting occurred, she made up her mind to continue with her plans to attend FSU. She did not let the tragedy change her course.
Kai Palat Evergreen High School, Evergreen Colorado.Kai was a freshman at Evergreen HS when the shooting occurred. The shooter ran down the hallway chasing Kai and his friend. Kai was not hit but his friend was shot. The shooter continued to chase Kai. His cat, Tiger and playing the piano are ways that Kai copes with his anxiety from that day.
Kim and Felix Rubio Robb Elementary School, Uvalde Texas.Kim and Felix lost their daughter. Lexi, during the shooting at Robb Elementary School. They are standing by the batting cages where Lexi played softball. Kim has become an activist about gun violence and frequently appears at the Texas State House in Austin to speak about their loss.
Alessandra Borges, Florida State University, Tallahassee FloridaIn April, 2025, a 20 yr. old student took a Glock handgun belonging to his stepmother onto the campus of FSU, near the Student Union building and began firing. Two employees of the university were killed and six students were wounded. Alessandra was a junior majoring in political science. This was the second school shooting that touched her life. When she was in 8th grade a friend was killed in the shooting at the local HS- the Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS in Parkland Florida. Alessandra is holding a dried flower from a bouquet she brought to her friend’s memorial service.
An Ongoing Chronicle of Resilience
In her extensive work, Shorr has completed two prior projects: “SHOT: 101 Survivors of Gun Violence in America” and “SHOT: We the Mothers Philadelphia and Miami.” Over 13 years, she has documented the resilience of 300 individuals. “While the subject matter is heavy, the people are anything but depressing,” she notes, highlighting their courage and generosity.
These narratives are intended to “turn private heartbreak into a powerful catalyst for change.” More of Shorr’s impactful storytelling can be explored on her website.
What is the focus of Kathy Shorr’s latest project?
Kathy Shorr’s latest project, ‘SHOT: We the School Community,’ focuses on documenting the experiences of individuals affected by school shootings.
How do participants in Shorr’s project choose locations?
Participants choose locations that hold personal significance, either confronting the trauma or embracing spaces of healing. Shorr gives them the autonomy to select places of profound significance to them.
What message does Shorr emphasize about gun violence in schools?
Shorr emphasizes that no one is safe from gun violence in schools, or anywhere in America. Her work spans various educational levels to underline this poignant message.
