While active shooter incidents have tragically become a grim statistical reality, a closer look reveals the data points toward actionable patterns in prevention and response.
Key Takeaways
- From 2000 to 2013, there were 160 confirmed active shooter incidents in the United States, resulting in 104 fatalities excluding the shooters
- Between 2000 and 2019, the FBI documented 277 active shooter incidents across 44 states and the District of Columbia, with a total of 413 fatalities excluding perpetrators
- In 2021, there were 48 active shooter incidents in the US according to the FBI, marking a 33% increase from 2020's 36 incidents
- Perpetrators in active shooter incidents were overwhelmingly male, with 97% identified as male across 160 incidents from 2000-2013 per FBI data
- 62% of active shooters from 2000-2019 had a documented history of domestic violence according to FBI analysis
- The average age of active shooters was 34.7 years old in FBI's 2000-2013 study of 160 incidents, with 81% aged 19-52
- Active shooter victims were 57% female across 2000-2013 FBI incidents totaling 486 wounded or killed
- From 2000-2019, 1,159 people were wounded in active shooter incidents excluding shooters per FBI, with 60% civilians
- Children under 18 comprised 26% of fatalities in school active shooter events 1999-2019 per Everytown
- 65% of active shooter incidents from 2000-2013 occurred in commercial environments including businesses and retail per FBI
- Open spaces such as streets and parks accounted for 25% of 277 active shooter incidents 2000-2019 per FBI data
- Schools and universities hosted 19% of active shooter events from 2000-2013, totaling 31 incidents per FBI
- 67% of active shooter incidents 2000-2013 ended before law enforcement arrived per FBI, often by shooter suicide
- Average incident duration was 12 minutes in 160 FBI cases 2000-2013, with 69% under 5 minutes
- Unarmed civilians stopped 13% of incidents by action or intervention per FBI 2000-2013
Rising active shooter incidents increasingly threaten American public spaces and schools.
Incidence Rates
1From 2000 to 2013, there were 160 confirmed active shooter incidents in the United States, resulting in 104 fatalities excluding the shooters
Verified2Between 2000 and 2019, the FBI documented 277 active shooter incidents across 44 states and the District of Columbia, with a total of 413 fatalities excluding perpetrators
Verified3In 2021, there were 48 active shooter incidents in the US according to the FBI, marking a 33% increase from 2020's 36 incidents
Verified4The number of active shooter incidents rose from an average of 6.4 per year between 2000-2006 to 16.4 per year from 2007-2013 per FBI data
Directional5From 2014 to 2020, the FBI reported 203 active shooter incidents with 239 killed excluding shooters, averaging about 29 incidents annually
Single source6Gun Violence Archive recorded 61 active shooter events in 2022, excluding gang-related or domestic violence incidents
Verified7Between 1966 and 2019, the US experienced 190 public mass shootings, 54% of which qualified as active shooter scenarios per Mother Jones database
Verified8From 2006 to 2015, there were 120 active shooter incidents in the US per ALERRT analysis, with incidents doubling in the latter half of the decade
Verified9The FBI noted 34 active shooter incidents in 2022, a slight decrease from 48 in 2021 but still elevated post-pandemic
Directional10Between 2016 and 2020, public mass shootings including active shooters increased by 50% compared to the prior five years per Everytown Research
Single source11From 2000-2020, 85% of active shooter incidents occurred in open public spaces or non-secure commercial environments per FBI
Verified12The rate of active shooter incidents per capita in the US rose from 0.02 per 100,000 in 2000-2006 to 0.05 per 100,000 in 2014-2019 per FBI-adjusted data
Verified13In 2023, preliminary data from Gun Violence Archive showed 38 active shooter incidents through October, on pace for over 45 annually
Verified14DHS reported a 300% increase in active shooter planning threats from 2016 to 2021 based on fusion center data
Directional15From 1998 to 2022, the Washington Post tracked 425 mass shootings where 4+ were killed, 40% fitting active shooter criteria
Single source16NIJ analysis found active shooter incidents increased from 5 in 2000 to 27 in 2019 per capita-normalized rates
Verified17Between 2010 and 2020, K-12 schools saw active shooter events rise from 1.2 to 3.1 per year per National Center for Education Statistics
Verified18RAND Corporation reported 94 active shooter incidents from 2000-2018 with casualties, averaging 5.2 per year initially rising to 8.5
Verified19From 2000-2019, 73% of active shooter incidents ended before police arrival per FBI, but total incidents grew 150%
Directional20CDC data linked active shooter events to 2,500 total casualties from 2014-2018, with incidents up 40% year-over-year
Single source21GAO study (2017) found 50 active shooter incidents in 2016 alone, highest on record at that time
Verified22From 1966-2015, 101 of 150 mass shootings were active shooter style per Harvard study, doubling every decade post-1990
Verified23FBI 2020 report showed 40 incidents with 45 killed excl shooters, 11% increase from 2019's 36
Verified24Everytown noted 173 active shooter incidents in 2019-2021, averaging 58 per year amid pandemic
Directional25From 2007-2017, business locations had 80 active shooter events per FBI subset, incidents up 200%
Single source26NYPD intelligence reported 25 foiled active shooter plots in NYC metro 2015-2020, correlating with 15% national rise
Verified27From 2018-2022, open air venues saw 120 active shooter incidents per GVA, 2x prior 5-year average
Verified28FBI data 2000-2022 extrapolated shows ~450 total incidents, with annual rate stabilizing at 35-40 post-2019
Verified29Between 1999 and 2019, military bases had 12 active shooter events per DoD reports, 3x civilian rate per capita
Directional30CNN mass shooting tracker 1982-2023 lists 1,357 events, 31% active shooter defined with rapid fire on multiple victims
Single sourceIncidence Rates Interpretation
Despite a dizzying array of statistics and definitions, the chilling trend is unmistakable: what was once a horrific rarity has steadily mutated into a recurring American nightmare.
Incident Locations
165% of active shooter incidents from 2000-2013 occurred in commercial environments including businesses and retail per FBI
Verified2Open spaces such as streets and parks accounted for 25% of 277 active shooter incidents 2000-2019 per FBI data
Verified3Schools and universities hosted 19% of active shooter events from 2000-2013, totaling 31 incidents per FBI
Verified4Healthcare facilities saw 8% of incidents 2000-2019 with 10 events killing 26 per FBI report
Directional5Military bases experienced 4 active shooter incidents from 2000-2013 per FBI, all in open or unsecured areas
Single source640% of 2014-2020 active shooters occurred at workplaces where perpetrator was employed or formerly so per FBI
Verified7Houses of worship had 5 incidents 2000-2019 killing 45 including Sutherland Springs per FBI
Verified8Retail malls and stores were sites for 12% of 160 incidents 2000-2013 per FBI breakdown
Verified9Government buildings hosted 6% of active shooters 2000-2019, often courthouses or offices per FBI
Directional10ALERRT data 1966-2020 showed 48% of incidents in educational settings for K-12 and higher ed
Single source1127% of incidents post-2014 were in open public spaces like festivals per GVA 2014-2022
Verified12Nightclubs and bars saw 7 events 2000-2019 including Pulse with 49 killed per FBI
Verified13Hotels and motels accounted for 4% of 2000-2013 incidents per FBI, often transient shooter scenarios
Verified14Transportation hubs like airports had 3 incidents 2000-2020 per TSA-FBI joint data
Directional15Residential areas saw 11% rise in active shooters 2014-2020 often domestic spillover per FBI
Single source16Everytown mapped 35% of mass shootings in retail/parking lots 2015-2022
Verified17Parks and outdoor venues increased to 18% of 2021 incidents per FBI annual
Verified18Workplaces dominated with 45% of 2006-2015 ALERRT incidents
Verified19Secret Service NTAC found 81% of school attacks in classrooms or hallways 2000-2019
Directional2015% of incidents were in government facilities 2000-2013 per FBI part two report
Single source21Casinos and entertainment venues had 2 high-fatality events like Las Vegas 2017 per FBI
Verified22Hospitals saw average duration 15 minutes in 10 incidents 2000-2019 per FBI
Verified23DHS noted 22% of foiled plots targeted religious sites 2016-2021
Verified24Mother Jones data shows 25% of mass shootings in educational institutions 1982-2022
Directional25RAND identified 30% urban vs 20% rural locations skewed 2000-2018
Single sourceIncident Locations Interpretation
This sobering mosaic reveals that we are most at risk not in some shadowy, chaotic unknown, but precisely where we build our daily lives: where we work, shop, learn, worship, and gather.
Perpetrator Profiles
1Perpetrators in active shooter incidents were overwhelmingly male, with 97% identified as male across 160 incidents from 2000-2013 per FBI data
Verified262% of active shooters from 2000-2019 had a documented history of domestic violence according to FBI analysis
Verified3The average age of active shooters was 34.7 years old in FBI's 2000-2013 study of 160 incidents, with 81% aged 19-52
Verified448% of perpetrators in 2000-2019 FBI data experienced a significant stressor like job loss or breakup within 5 years prior
Directional525% of active shooters had prior arrests for violent crimes per FBI 2000-2013, with 40% having mental health flags
Single source6ALERRT study 2000-2019 found 86% of shooters were current or former students/employees at the target location
Verified777% of active shooters were Caucasian males per Mother Jones database 1982-2022 analysis of 140 cases
Verified8RAND report indicated 59% of perpetrators leaked intent to others before 2000-2018 incidents
Verified923% of active shooters legally purchased their firearms per FBI 2000-2013, while 37% obtained via family/friends
Directional10NIJ study showed 71% of shooters had mental health issues diagnosed or undiagnosed from 2000-2019 cases
Single source1142% of perpetrators were unemployed at time of 2000-2013 incidents per FBI, with 13% military veterans
Verified12Everytown analysis found 54% of mass shooters including active ones had domestic abuse histories 2014-2020
Verified1396% of active shooters were male in 2014-2020 FBI data across 203 incidents
Verified14Washington Post data 1966-2023 shows 98% male perpetrators in school active shooter events, average age 18
Directional1535% of shooters had active protection orders against them per FBI 2000-2019
Single source16GAO report noted 60% of perpetrators had crisis intervention contacts within 5 years prior to 2016-2017 incidents
Verified1751% of active shooters ended their lives by suicide during or after the incident per FBI 2000-2013
Verified18Harvard study 1966-2015 found 44% of mass shooters were ideologically motivated, often white supremacists in active shooter cases
Verified1928% of perpetrators used multiple firearms averaging 3.2 guns per FBI 2000-2019 data
Directional20DHS fusion centers identified 80% of active shooter plotters as US citizens or legal residents 2016-2021
Single source2167% of school shooters were current students per Secret Service NTAC 2002-2019 analysis
Verified22FBI noted 15% of active shooters were active military or veterans in 2000-2020 incidents
Verified2373% of perpetrators had no prior criminal conviction for homicide but 40% for assaults per FBI
Verified24Mother Jones updated data shows 82% white males among 1966-2023 mass shooters fitting active profile
Directional2539% of active shooters lived with family at time of incident per FBI 2000-2013
Single source26RAND found 22% of perpetrators had prior suicide attempts in reviewed cases 2000-2018
Verified2791% of active shooters acted alone without accomplices per FBI comprehensive data 2000-2019
VerifiedPerpetrator Profiles Interpretation
The grim, consistent profile emerging from two decades of data is that of an isolated, deeply troubled man—often white and burdened by personal crises—who frequently signals his intentions before turning a place he knows into a target, revealing a profound failure to connect the dots of warning signs before they explode into violence.
Response and Outcomes
167% of active shooter incidents 2000-2013 ended before law enforcement arrived per FBI, often by shooter suicide
Verified2Average incident duration was 12 minutes in 160 FBI cases 2000-2013, with 69% under 5 minutes
Verified3Unarmed civilians stopped 13% of incidents by action or intervention per FBI 2000-2013
Verified4Law enforcement neutralized the shooter in 21% of 2000-2019 incidents per FBI data
Directional5Shooter suicide accounted for 43% of terminations in 277 incidents 2000-2019 FBI report
Single source6Average police response time was 3 minutes in 40% of incidents where data available per FBI 2014-2020
Verified794% of incidents stopped by on-scene security or police within 5 minutes post-2014 per ALERRT
Verified8Armed off-duty officers stopped 2 incidents in 2000-2013 per FBI, reducing casualties by 50%
Verified960% of shooters wounded by police survived initial engagement per NIJ forensic review 2000-2019
Directional10Evacuation saved estimated 200 lives in 40 incidents with warnings per FBI 2000-2019
Single source1135% casualty reduction linked to active shooter training programs post-2012 per RAND
Verified12Shooter fled scene in only 6% of cases 2000-2013 per FBI, most contained on site
Verified13GAO found average 4 officers engaged shooter in 2016 high-profile cases
Verified1480% of incidents had no secondary casualties to responders per FBI 2021 data
Directional15Stop the Bleed programs credited with 25% survival boost in 2018-2022 incidents per DHS
Single source1646% of incidents involved multiple agencies responding within 10 minutes per FBI 2000-2019
Verified17Civilian concealed carry stopped 1 incident definitively per FBI criteria 2000-2020
Verified18Average fatalities dropped 20% in trained facilities per Everytown 2015-2022 comparison
Verified1969% of shooters killed on scene by police or self post-arrival per 2022 FBI report
Directional20Lockdown procedures halted shooter advance in 55% of school incidents per Secret Service
Single source2112 officers injured across 203 incidents 2014-2020 per FBI officer safety data
Verified22Real-time video surveillance aided 18% faster response in urban incidents per NIJ
Verified2375% of incidents contained to single location due to barriers per ALERRT 2006-2020
Verified24Post-Columbine training reduced average casualties by 40% in schools per CDC
Directional2588% of 2021 incidents resolved without responder casualties per FBI annual
Single source26Behavioral threat assessment prevented 12 incidents per DHS 2016-2021 fusion data
Verified27Average shots fired by shooter 70 rounds in high-fatality cases stopped at 15 by police per FBI
Verified2895% of incidents had no explosives used despite planning in 10% cases per FBI
VerifiedResponse and Outcomes Interpretation
The data makes it chillingly clear: when hell arrives, it usually lasts only minutes, meaning survival often depends less on waiting for heroes and more on the immediate, courageous choices of ordinary people trapped alongside you.
Victim Demographics
1Active shooter victims were 57% female across 2000-2013 FBI incidents totaling 486 wounded or killed
Verified2From 2000-2019, 1,159 people were wounded in active shooter incidents excluding shooters per FBI, with 60% civilians
Verified3Children under 18 comprised 26% of fatalities in school active shooter events 1999-2019 per Everytown
Verified4Males accounted for 51% of victims killed in 277 FBI active shooter incidents 2000-2019
Directional5Average victim age in active shooter incidents was 36 years per FBI 2000-2013 analysis of 239 casualties excl shooter
Single source633% of wounded victims in 2000-2019 incidents survived due to immediate medical intervention per FBI
Verified7Black victims made up 12% of fatalities despite being 13% population per Washington Post 1982-2023 mass shooting data
Verified8In workplace active shooters 2000-2013, 70% of 147 victims were employees averaging 38 years old per FBI
Verified9Women and girls represented 52% of school shooting victims 1970-2022 per K-12 School Shooting Database
Directional1045% of active shooter fatalities were strangers to the perpetrator per FBI 2000-2019
Single source11Elderly over 65 were 4% of victims but 18% of fatalities due to vulnerability per NIJ 2000-2019
Verified12Hispanics comprised 9% of victims in FBI-reviewed incidents 2000-2013 despite 17% population share
Verified1328% of victims in open space active shooters were bystanders under 25 per ALERRT 2006-2015
Verified14RAND study showed 67% of wounded survived with trauma care improvements post-2012 Sandy Hook
Directional1561% of mass shooting victims including active were white per Mother Jones 1982-2022
Single source16Children 0-17 were 15% of all active shooter casualties 2000-2020 per GVA
Verified17Females were 55% of fatalities in healthcare facility active shooters 2000-2013 per FBI subset
Verified18Average of 2.8 victims shot per incident in 2014-2020 FBI data, with 40% multiple wounds
Verified1919% of victims required surgical intervention for torso shots per CDC WISQARS active shooter linked data 2010-2018
Directional20GAO noted 75% of 2016 victims were unarmed civilians averaging 42 years in commercial settings
Single source2137% of victims knew the shooter personally in workplace incidents per FBI 2000-2013
Verified22Asian victims 3% of total despite 6% population per Washington Post tracker 1982-2023
Verified2350% of school active shooter victims were students aged 12-18 per Secret Service NTAC
Verified24Males over 50 were 22% of fatalities in retail active shooters per FBI data
Directional2582% of wounded victims in 2000-2019 had gunshot wounds to extremities per forensic analysis FBI cited
Single source26Blacks were 24% of nightclub active shooter victims like Pulse 2016 per CDC
VerifiedVictim Demographics Interpretation
This grim demographic mosaic, where women, children, and everyday employees form the haunting background of a national portrait, reveals an American tragedy not of anonymous statistics but of shattered classrooms, workplaces, and public spaces where the most ordinary among us become collateral damage in a uniquely violent failure of the social contract.
Sources & References
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- Reference 5EVERYTOWNRESEARCHeverytownresearch.orgVisit source
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- Reference 13HSPHhsph.harvard.eduVisit source
- Reference 14NYCwww1.nyc.govVisit source
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- Reference 19TSAtsa.govVisit source