Haunting Bedrooms Reveal Tragic Toll of School Shootings

In the past seven years, a team of veteran journalists has been working on a powerful documentary that sheds light on the devastating impact of school shootings in the United States. "All the Empty Rooms," directed by Joshua Seftel, follows CBS News correspondent Steve Hartman and photographer Lou Bopp as they visit the empty bedrooms of children killed in these senseless incidents.

The film, which premieres on Netflix on December 1, 2025, reveals the unseen ripples of America's gun violence crisis. According to the nonprofit Brady group, more than 200 children have been killed in school shootings since 1999. Seftel, a parent of two young girls, was compelled to work on the project after feeling numb to the constant news of these tragedies.

Through a cinéma vérité approach, the documentary allows viewers to step into the rooms of the victims, where their presence is palpably absent. Seftel hopes this intimate look will rekindle a sense of urgency to address the ongoing issue of gun violence in America. The film has already garnered acclaim, winning awards at several prestigious festivals.

As the nation continues to grapple with this crisis, "All the Empty Rooms" serves as a poignant reminder of the lives lost and the need for meaningful change to prevent such senseless tragedies from occurring in the future.