In The News: Parkland Parent Tony Montalto Worried About Students Returning To Classrooms Due Pandem

As students return to in-person learning, the issue of school shootings is back in focus. Experts are concerned that gun violence in American schools may be even more likely in 2021 because of the pandemic’s impact on mental health and other factors. A recent study found the key to stopping school-based violence.

The Secret Service, which protects presidents and cabinet officers, has just released a study of school shootings and how to stop them. The agency’s National Threat Assessment Venter analyzed nearly 70 disrupted school plots over the past two decades. The study found the key to stopping them was an early intervention, by someone close to a student possibly planning violence. Tony Montalto, whose daughter Gina died in the mass shooting at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland three years ago, is the president of Stand with Parkland which pushes for gun and school safety reforms. He said he’s more worried now about students heading back to the classroom, because of the pandemic’s impact on mental health. “Targeted school attacks frequently occur after we’ve had an absence. We know that COVID is giving many students and schools the longest break in attendance they’ve ever had,” he said.

Read this full article in CBS Miami: Parkland Parent Tony Montalto Worried About Students Returning To Classrooms Due Pandemic Mental Health Impacts