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
- 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
- The 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
- From 2014 to 2020, the FBI reported 203 active shooter incidents with 239 killed excluding shooters, averaging about 29 incidents annually
- Gun Violence Archive recorded 61 active shooter events in 2022, excluding gang-related or domestic violence incidents
- Between 1966 and 2019, the US experienced 190 public mass shootings, 54% of which qualified as active shooter scenarios per Mother Jones database
- From 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
- The FBI noted 34 active shooter incidents in 2022, a slight decrease from 48 in 2021 but still elevated post-pandemic
- Between 2016 and 2020, public mass shootings including active shooters increased by 50% compared to the prior five years per Everytown Research
- From 2000-2020, 85% of active shooter incidents occurred in open public spaces or non-secure commercial environments per FBI
- The 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
- In 2023, preliminary data from Gun Violence Archive showed 38 active shooter incidents through October, on pace for over 45 annually
- DHS reported a 300% increase in active shooter planning threats from 2016 to 2021 based on fusion center data
- From 1998 to 2022, the Washington Post tracked 425 mass shootings where 4+ were killed, 40% fitting active shooter criteria
- NIJ analysis found active shooter incidents increased from 5 in 2000 to 27 in 2019 per capita-normalized rates
- Between 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
- RAND Corporation reported 94 active shooter incidents from 2000-2018 with casualties, averaging 5.2 per year initially rising to 8.5
- From 2000-2019, 73% of active shooter incidents ended before police arrival per FBI, but total incidents grew 150%
- CDC data linked active shooter events to 2,500 total casualties from 2014-2018, with incidents up 40% year-over-year
- GAO study (2017) found 50 active shooter incidents in 2016 alone, highest on record at that time
- From 1966-2015, 101 of 150 mass shootings were active shooter style per Harvard study, doubling every decade post-1990
- FBI 2020 report showed 40 incidents with 45 killed excl shooters, 11% increase from 2019's 36
- Everytown noted 173 active shooter incidents in 2019-2021, averaging 58 per year amid pandemic
- From 2007-2017, business locations had 80 active shooter events per FBI subset, incidents up 200%
- NYPD intelligence reported 25 foiled active shooter plots in NYC metro 2015-2020, correlating with 15% national rise
- From 2018-2022, open air venues saw 120 active shooter incidents per GVA, 2x prior 5-year average
- FBI data 2000-2022 extrapolated shows ~450 total incidents, with annual rate stabilizing at 35-40 post-2019
- Between 1999 and 2019, military bases had 12 active shooter events per DoD reports, 3x civilian rate per capita
- CNN mass shooting tracker 1982-2023 lists 1,357 events, 31% active shooter defined with rapid fire on multiple victims
Incidence 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
- 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
- Healthcare facilities saw 8% of incidents 2000-2019 with 10 events killing 26 per FBI report
- Military bases experienced 4 active shooter incidents from 2000-2013 per FBI, all in open or unsecured areas
- 40% of 2014-2020 active shooters occurred at workplaces where perpetrator was employed or formerly so per FBI
- Houses of worship had 5 incidents 2000-2019 killing 45 including Sutherland Springs per FBI
- Retail malls and stores were sites for 12% of 160 incidents 2000-2013 per FBI breakdown
- Government buildings hosted 6% of active shooters 2000-2019, often courthouses or offices per FBI
- ALERRT data 1966-2020 showed 48% of incidents in educational settings for K-12 and higher ed
- 27% of incidents post-2014 were in open public spaces like festivals per GVA 2014-2022
- Nightclubs and bars saw 7 events 2000-2019 including Pulse with 49 killed per FBI
- Hotels and motels accounted for 4% of 2000-2013 incidents per FBI, often transient shooter scenarios
- Transportation hubs like airports had 3 incidents 2000-2020 per TSA-FBI joint data
- Residential areas saw 11% rise in active shooters 2014-2020 often domestic spillover per FBI
- Everytown mapped 35% of mass shootings in retail/parking lots 2015-2022
- Parks and outdoor venues increased to 18% of 2021 incidents per FBI annual
- Workplaces dominated with 45% of 2006-2015 ALERRT incidents
- Secret Service NTAC found 81% of school attacks in classrooms or hallways 2000-2019
- 15% of incidents were in government facilities 2000-2013 per FBI part two report
- Casinos and entertainment venues had 2 high-fatality events like Las Vegas 2017 per FBI
- Hospitals saw average duration 15 minutes in 10 incidents 2000-2019 per FBI
- DHS noted 22% of foiled plots targeted religious sites 2016-2021
- Mother Jones data shows 25% of mass shootings in educational institutions 1982-2022
- RAND identified 30% urban vs 20% rural locations skewed 2000-2018
Incident 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
- 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
- 48% of perpetrators in 2000-2019 FBI data experienced a significant stressor like job loss or breakup within 5 years prior
- 25% of active shooters had prior arrests for violent crimes per FBI 2000-2013, with 40% having mental health flags
- ALERRT study 2000-2019 found 86% of shooters were current or former students/employees at the target location
- 77% of active shooters were Caucasian males per Mother Jones database 1982-2022 analysis of 140 cases
- RAND report indicated 59% of perpetrators leaked intent to others before 2000-2018 incidents
- 23% of active shooters legally purchased their firearms per FBI 2000-2013, while 37% obtained via family/friends
- NIJ study showed 71% of shooters had mental health issues diagnosed or undiagnosed from 2000-2019 cases
- 42% of perpetrators were unemployed at time of 2000-2013 incidents per FBI, with 13% military veterans
- Everytown analysis found 54% of mass shooters including active ones had domestic abuse histories 2014-2020
- 96% of active shooters were male in 2014-2020 FBI data across 203 incidents
- Washington Post data 1966-2023 shows 98% male perpetrators in school active shooter events, average age 18
- 35% of shooters had active protection orders against them per FBI 2000-2019
- GAO report noted 60% of perpetrators had crisis intervention contacts within 5 years prior to 2016-2017 incidents
- 51% of active shooters ended their lives by suicide during or after the incident per FBI 2000-2013
- Harvard study 1966-2015 found 44% of mass shooters were ideologically motivated, often white supremacists in active shooter cases
- 28% of perpetrators used multiple firearms averaging 3.2 guns per FBI 2000-2019 data
- DHS fusion centers identified 80% of active shooter plotters as US citizens or legal residents 2016-2021
- 67% of school shooters were current students per Secret Service NTAC 2002-2019 analysis
- FBI noted 15% of active shooters were active military or veterans in 2000-2020 incidents
- 73% of perpetrators had no prior criminal conviction for homicide but 40% for assaults per FBI
- Mother Jones updated data shows 82% white males among 1966-2023 mass shooters fitting active profile
- 39% of active shooters lived with family at time of incident per FBI 2000-2013
- RAND found 22% of perpetrators had prior suicide attempts in reviewed cases 2000-2018
- 91% of active shooters acted alone without accomplices per FBI comprehensive data 2000-2019
Perpetrator 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
- 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
- Law enforcement neutralized the shooter in 21% of 2000-2019 incidents per FBI data
- Shooter suicide accounted for 43% of terminations in 277 incidents 2000-2019 FBI report
- Average police response time was 3 minutes in 40% of incidents where data available per FBI 2014-2020
- 94% of incidents stopped by on-scene security or police within 5 minutes post-2014 per ALERRT
- Armed off-duty officers stopped 2 incidents in 2000-2013 per FBI, reducing casualties by 50%
- 60% of shooters wounded by police survived initial engagement per NIJ forensic review 2000-2019
- Evacuation saved estimated 200 lives in 40 incidents with warnings per FBI 2000-2019
- 35% casualty reduction linked to active shooter training programs post-2012 per RAND
- Shooter fled scene in only 6% of cases 2000-2013 per FBI, most contained on site
- GAO found average 4 officers engaged shooter in 2016 high-profile cases
- 80% of incidents had no secondary casualties to responders per FBI 2021 data
- Stop the Bleed programs credited with 25% survival boost in 2018-2022 incidents per DHS
- 46% of incidents involved multiple agencies responding within 10 minutes per FBI 2000-2019
- Civilian concealed carry stopped 1 incident definitively per FBI criteria 2000-2020
- Average fatalities dropped 20% in trained facilities per Everytown 2015-2022 comparison
- 69% of shooters killed on scene by police or self post-arrival per 2022 FBI report
- Lockdown procedures halted shooter advance in 55% of school incidents per Secret Service
- 12 officers injured across 203 incidents 2014-2020 per FBI officer safety data
- Real-time video surveillance aided 18% faster response in urban incidents per NIJ
- 75% of incidents contained to single location due to barriers per ALERRT 2006-2020
- Post-Columbine training reduced average casualties by 40% in schools per CDC
- 88% of 2021 incidents resolved without responder casualties per FBI annual
- Behavioral threat assessment prevented 12 incidents per DHS 2016-2021 fusion data
- Average shots fired by shooter 70 rounds in high-fatality cases stopped at 15 by police per FBI
- 95% of incidents had no explosives used despite planning in 10% cases per FBI
Response 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
- 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
- Males accounted for 51% of victims killed in 277 FBI active shooter incidents 2000-2019
- Average victim age in active shooter incidents was 36 years per FBI 2000-2013 analysis of 239 casualties excl shooter
- 33% of wounded victims in 2000-2019 incidents survived due to immediate medical intervention per FBI
- Black victims made up 12% of fatalities despite being 13% population per Washington Post 1982-2023 mass shooting data
- In workplace active shooters 2000-2013, 70% of 147 victims were employees averaging 38 years old per FBI
- Women and girls represented 52% of school shooting victims 1970-2022 per K-12 School Shooting Database
- 45% of active shooter fatalities were strangers to the perpetrator per FBI 2000-2019
- Elderly over 65 were 4% of victims but 18% of fatalities due to vulnerability per NIJ 2000-2019
- Hispanics comprised 9% of victims in FBI-reviewed incidents 2000-2013 despite 17% population share
- 28% of victims in open space active shooters were bystanders under 25 per ALERRT 2006-2015
- RAND study showed 67% of wounded survived with trauma care improvements post-2012 Sandy Hook
- 61% of mass shooting victims including active were white per Mother Jones 1982-2022
- Children 0-17 were 15% of all active shooter casualties 2000-2020 per GVA
- Females were 55% of fatalities in healthcare facility active shooters 2000-2013 per FBI subset
- Average of 2.8 victims shot per incident in 2014-2020 FBI data, with 40% multiple wounds
- 19% of victims required surgical intervention for torso shots per CDC WISQARS active shooter linked data 2010-2018
- GAO noted 75% of 2016 victims were unarmed civilians averaging 42 years in commercial settings
- 37% of victims knew the shooter personally in workplace incidents per FBI 2000-2013
- Asian victims 3% of total despite 6% population per Washington Post tracker 1982-2023
- 50% of school active shooter victims were students aged 12-18 per Secret Service NTAC
- Males over 50 were 22% of fatalities in retail active shooters per FBI data
- 82% of wounded victims in 2000-2019 had gunshot wounds to extremities per forensic analysis FBI cited
- Blacks were 24% of nightclub active shooter victims like Pulse 2016 per CDC
Victim 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 14NYCwww1.nyc.govVisit source
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