16-Year-Old Attacker Used Legally Purchased Shotgun

A 16-year-old who attacked Silver Rail Elementary School on Thursday utilized a pump shotgun bought legally, according to reports.

It was noted that the shotgun was purchased by the attacker’s mother. Citing unnamed sources, the New York Post mentioned that this weapon was obtained legally.

CNN reported that during the assault, the attacker fired different types of ammunition and had around 44 rounds left when a father of two students managed to corner him, ultimately killing him.

When authorities refer to guns being bought “legally,” it suggests that the proper point-of-sale gun regulations were adhered to.

Interestingly, a vast majority of high-profile public shooters have acquired their firearms through background checks and established gun control measures.

Here’s a brief list of several notorious attackers or alleged attackers who successfully passed checks to obtain firearms:

• White House Correspondents Dinner attacker (April 25, 2026)
• Pawtucket, Rhode Island attacker (February 16, 2026)
• Dallas ICE attacker (September 24, 2025)
• Minneapolis Catholic School attacker (August 27, 2025)
• UNLV attacker (December 6, 2023)
• Louisville Old National Bank attacker (April 10, 2023)
• Nashville Christian school attacker (March 27, 2023)
• Uvalde School attacker (May 24, 2022)
• Buffalo grocery attacker (May 14, 2022)
• Indianapolis FedEx attacker (April 15, 2021)
• Atlanta-area attacker (March 16, 2021)
• Parkland high school attacker (February 14, 2018)
• Texas church attacker (November 5, 2017)
• Las Vegas attacker (October 1, 2017)
• Alexandria attacker (June 14, 2017)
• Orlando attacker (June 12, 2016)
• UCLA gunman (June 1, 2016)
• San Bernardino attackers (December 2, 2015)
• Colorado Springs attacker (October 31, 2015)
• Umpqua Community College attacker (October 1, 2015)
• Alison Parker’s attacker (August 26, 2015)
• Lafayette movie theater attacker (July 23, 2015)
• Chattanooga attacker (July 16, 2015)
• Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church attacker (June 17, 2015)
• Muhammad Cartoon Contest attackers (May 3, 2014)
• Las Vegas cop killers (June 9, 2015)
• Santa Barbara attacker (May 23, 2014)
• Fort Hood attacker (April 2, 2014)
• Arapahoe High School attacker (December 13, 2013)
• D.C. Navy Yard attacker (September 16, 2013)
• Aurora movie theater attacker (July 20, 2012)
• Gabby Giffords’ attacker (January 8, 2011)
• Fort Hood attacker (November 5, 2009)
• Northern Illinois University attacker (February 14, 2008)
• Virginia Tech attacker (April 16, 2007)

Despite the apparent adherence to current gun regulations, responses from some lawmakers following high-profile shootings typically call for stricter gun control measures.