The violent death of any child is an individual tragedy whose effects ripple through families, peers, and communities. Although these losses and their consequences are fundamentally preventable, they are becoming more common, not less, despite numerous advances in other aspects of child safety. Indeed, firearm injury has surpassed motor vehicle crash to become the leading cause of death among children. In this issue, Wilson et al analyze longitudinal national data to provide compelling insights into the characteristics and circumstances of homicides of children that emphasize important avenues for prevention.