2018 Features (Medium Staff) Winner

“Targeted: A Family and the Quest to Stop the Next School Shooter”

About the Entry

A student and his family are caught up in a school district’s “threat assessment” investigation intended to prevent campus violence.

Comments from the Judges

“This is a compelling and well-reported story on the consequences of trying to identify potential school shooters before they act.”

“The reporter has done an amazing job of finding a new way to talk about school shootings and how difficult it is for schools to figure out how to prevent them. I am impressed with how she got the family of this student to cooperate.”

“Although the piece is certainly critical of the school administration, the reporter has written it in a way that still enables the reader to see their point of view. An excellent piece all around with a heartbreaking ending.”

Photo credit: Beth Nakamura | The Oregonian/OregonLive