Police gunfire killed 1,164 people in the US in 2023, the highest annual total recorded since tracking began in 2015, and the pattern of who is killed keeps raising hard questions. From 2015 to 2022, Black victims accounted for 27% of police shooting deaths while making up just 13.6% of the population, and in 2023 Hispanic or Latino victims were 30% of those fatally shot. The timing, location, and even the level of armedness reported by police also shift the picture in ways that are difficult to ignore.
Key Takeaways
- Black victims made up 27% of police shooting deaths from 2015-2022 despite 13.6% population share
- In 2023, 30% of those fatally shot by police were Hispanic/Latino
- From 2015-2023, 25% of fatal shooting victims were Black males aged 20-29
- From 2015 to 2022, police shot at 1,234 people in Ohio, resulting in 455 fatalities
- In 2023, 1,164 people were killed by police gunfire in the US, marking the highest annual total since tracking began in 2015
- Between 1980 and 2019, an estimated 30,800 people died from fatal police shootings in the US
- California had 22% of national fatal police shootings 2015-2023
- Texas averaged 100 fatal shootings per year 2020-2023
- Rural areas saw 25% of fatal shootings despite 19% population, 2022
- 60% of fatal shootings occurred during traffic stops or pursuits 2022
- 93% of 2023 fatal victims posed "immediate threat" per police
- Unarmed victims: 6% of total fatal shootings 2015-2023
- Officers were 85% white in fatal shooting incidents from 2015-2023
- 12% of shooting officers in 2022 were female
- Average age of officers involved in fatal shootings was 37 in 2021 data
Police gunfire deaths surged in 2023 to the highest total since 2015, with disproportionate harm to Black and Hispanic victims.
Related reading
01 · Category
Demographics Of Victims25 stats
01
Black victims made up 27% of police shooting deaths from 2015-2022 despite 13.6% population share
02
In 2023, 30% of those fatally shot by police were Hispanic/Latino
03
From 2015-2023, 25% of fatal shooting victims were Black males aged 20-29
04
White victims comprised 46% of police shooting deaths in 2022
05
Average age of fatal police shooting victims in 2021 was 38 years
06
Black Americans were 2.5 times more likely to be killed by police than whites per capita from 2015-2020
07
14% of fatal shooting victims in 2023 were women
08
Native Americans were killed at 3.5 times the rate of whites in police shootings 2015-2022
09
60% of Black victims fatally shot were under 40 years old in 2022 data
10
Hispanic victims averaged 35 years old in fatal police shootings 2021
11
From 2015-2023, 13% of victims were unarmed Black individuals
12
White males aged 30-49 were 22% of fatal victims in 2023
13
Black females represented 5% of fatal police shooting victims 2015-2022
14
In 2020, 55% of Hispanic fatal victims were armed with firearms
15
Youth under 18 made up 1.2% of fatal shooting victims from 2015-2021, disproportionately Black
16
2022 data: 28% of Asian/Pacific Islander victims in police shootings were fatal
17
Elderly over 60 were 4% of victims, mostly white males in 2023
18
Mental illness noted in 25% of Black victims fatally shot 2015-2023
19
From 2019-2022, 32% of Native Hawaiian victims killed by police shootings
20
Black males had a fatal shooting rate of 6.4 per million in 2021
21
Women victims in 2022: 9% Black, 42% white
22
Unarmed Black victims: 14% of Black total fatalities 2015-2022
23
Hispanic youth under 25: 18% of their demographic's fatal shootings in 2023
24
51% of white victims in 2021 were from rural areas
25
95% of all fatal victims were male, with Black males at highest per capita risk
Interpretation
Demographics Of Victims Interpretation
Across the Demographics Of Victims, Black people are consistently overrepresented in fatal police shootings, making up 27% of deaths from 2015 to 2022 despite a 13.6% population share and experiencing 2.5 times the per capita likelihood of being killed by police compared with whites from 2015 to 2020.
02 · Category
Fatalities30 stats
01
From 2015 to 2022, police shot at 1,234 people in Ohio, resulting in 455 fatalities
02
In 2023, 1,164 people were killed by police gunfire in the US, marking the highest annual total since tracking began in 2015
03
Between 1980 and 2019, an estimated 30,800 people died from fatal police shootings in the US
04
In 2022, 1,096 civilians were fatally shot by police, with 93% armed with a firearm or other weapon at the time
05
California recorded 191 fatal police shootings in 2022, the highest of any state
06
From May 2020 to April 2021, amid protests, fatal police shootings increased by 12% compared to pre-2020 averages, totaling 1,129 deaths
07
2021 saw 1,055 fatal police shootings nationwide, with Texas at 104
08
Over 10 years (2013-2023), more than 10,400 people died from police shootings, averaging 28 per million residents
09
In 2019, 999 fatal police shootings occurred, 41% of victims were fleeing the scene
10
Black Americans comprised 24% of those fatally shot by police in 2022 despite being 13% of population
11
Males accounted for 95% of fatal police shooting victims from 2015-2023
12
In 2020, 1,021 fatal shootings by police, highest on record at the time
13
Florida had 88 fatal police shootings in 2021, ranking third nationally
14
77% of fatal police shooting victims in 2023 were armed with guns
15
From 2015-2024, over 9,000 fatal shootings, with 2024 on pace for another record
16
Arizona saw 58 fatal police shootings in 2022
17
In 2016, 963 fatal police shootings, with body cameras present in 20% of cases
18
Georgia recorded 49 fatal shootings by police in 2023
19
16% of fatal police shootings from 2015-2022 involved mental health crises
20
Pennsylvania had 45 fatal police shootings in 2022
21
In 2018, 991 fatal police shootings, down slightly from 2017's 987
22
Missouri saw 32 fatal police shootings in 2021
23
2023 data shows 1,164 killed, with 231 in the last quarter alone
24
From 2015-2021, 8,035 fatal shootings, 99% involving on-duty officers
25
Illinois had 41 fatal police shootings in 2022
26
In 2017, 984 fatal police shootings occurred nationwide
27
Nevada recorded 28 fatal shootings by police in 2023
28
24% of fatal police shooting victims in 2020 were Hispanic
29
North Carolina had 37 fatal police shootings in 2021
30
2022 total fatal shootings: 1,096, with 25% involving vehicle pursuits
Interpretation
Fatalities Interpretation
Across fatal police shootings, deaths reached 1,164 in 2023, the highest annual total since tracking began in 2015, underscoring a troubling upward trend in fatalities even as earlier periods show far lower annual counts.
03 · Category
Geographic Distribution24 stats
01
California had 22% of national fatal police shootings 2015-2023
02
Texas averaged 100 fatal shootings per year 2020-2023
03
Rural areas saw 25% of fatal shootings despite 19% population, 2022
04
Los Angeles County: 85 fatal police shootings 2015-2022
05
South region: 40% of all fatal shootings 2015-2023
06
Chicago: 72 fatal shootings by police 2015-2023
07
Nevada had highest per capita rate at 6.2 per million 2022
08
Midwest: 18% of national total, lowest regional share 2021
09
New Mexico: 5.8 fatal shootings per million residents 2023
10
Philadelphia: 45 fatal police shootings 2015-2022
11
West states: 35% of fatalities, high in AZ, CA, NV 2022
12
Baltimore: 32 fatal shootings post-Freddie Gray 2015-2023
13
Florida's Miami-Dade: 28 fatal shootings 2020-2023
14
Northeast: only 12% of national fatal shootings 2015-2022
15
Oklahoma: 4.9 per million rate 2023
16
Houston: 55 fatal police shootings 2015-2023
17
Urban areas: 70% of incidents, suburbs 20%, rural 10% in 2022
18
Colorado: 48 fatal shootings 2021-2023
19
Atlanta: 25 fatal shootings by police 2020-2023
20
Wyoming lowest total at 2-3 per year, but high per capita
21
Detroit: 38 fatal shootings 2015-2022
22
Alaska: 7.2 per million rate, highest nationally 2022
23
St. Louis: highest per capita city at 13.4 per million 2015-2022
24
Oregon: 42 fatal shootings 2020-2023
Interpretation
Geographic Distribution Interpretation
Geographically, the burden of fatal police shootings is heavily concentrated in particular places and regions, with California accounting for 22% of national fatalities from 2015 to 2023, the South region making up 40% of all such deaths over the same period, and rural areas responsible for 25% of fatalities despite representing 19% of the population in 2022.
More related reading
04 · Category
Incident Circumstances21 stats
01
60% of fatal shootings occurred during traffic stops or pursuits 2022
02
93% of 2023 fatal victims posed "immediate threat" per police
03
Unarmed victims: 6% of total fatal shootings 2015-2023
04
Domestic violence calls led to 12% of fatal shootings in 2022
05
25% involved mental health disturbances 2021 data
06
Vehicle-related: 20% of incidents, often during chases 2023
07
36% of victims fleeing on foot at time of shooting 2015-2022
08
Armed with firearms: 77% in 2022 fatal cases
09
Drug/alcohol suspected in 15% of fatal shootings 2023
10
8% of victims shot in back, per autopsy reviews 2015-2021
11
Robbery responses: 10% of circumstances leading to fatal shots 2022
12
No weapon: 10% in non-fatal shootings vs 6% fatal 2023
13
Suicide-by-cop: estimated 5-10% of incidents 2015-2023
14
45% occurred during warrant service or arrests 2021
15
Toy/weapon mistaken: 4% of unarmed cases 2022
16
22% involved multiple victims shot in single incident 2015-2022
17
Burglary/break-in calls: 7% of fatal circumstances 2023
18
Hands up or surrendering: claimed in 2% but disputed
19
30% during routine patrols or checks 2022
20
Officer assaulted: 28% of incidents pre-shooting 2021
21
18% of fatal shootings followed 911 calls for welfare checks 2023
Interpretation
Incident Circumstances Interpretation
Across incident circumstances, fatal police shootings are overwhelmingly linked to high risk interactions, with 60% of fatal cases in 2022 occurring during traffic stops or pursuits and 93% of 2023 victims labeled an immediate threat by police, while unarmed victims remain relatively rare at 6% from 2015 to 2023.
05 · Category
Officer Involved Factors23 stats
01
Officers were 85% white in fatal shooting incidents from 2015-2023
02
12% of shooting officers in 2022 were female
03
Average age of officers involved in fatal shootings was 37 in 2021 data
04
Black officers involved in 8% of fatal shootings despite 7% of force, 2015-2022
05
70% of fatal shootings involved multiple officers, average 2.1 per incident in 2023
06
Hispanic officers accounted for 15% of shooting officers in 2022
07
Body-worn cameras used by 60% of agencies in fatal shooting cases 2021
08
Officers injured in 5% of fatal shooting incidents from 2015-2023
09
92% of shooting officers were on-duty in 2023 data
10
White officers shot Black suspects at 3 times the rate of Black officers, 2015-2020
11
Average shots fired per fatal incident: 4.2 in 2022
12
22% of officers in shootings had prior complaints, per 2021 study
13
Female officers involved in 11% of incidents where victim survived, vs 8% fatal
14
75% of fatal shootings by officers with 5+ years experience, 2023
15
Black officers more likely to use non-lethal force in 18% higher rate, 2015-2022
16
40% of shootings involved patrol officers under 30
17
Officers hit by suspect fire in 3% of fatal shootings 2021
18
65% of involved officers were plainclothes or tactical in urban shootings 2022
19
Hispanic officers fired fewer shots on average (3.1) vs white (4.5) in 2023
20
5% of shooting officers were charged criminally post-2015
21
Multi-racial officers in 2% of incidents, mostly West Coast 2021-2023
22
Senior officers (15+ years) in 35% of fatal cases, lower discipline rates
23
88% of officers retained jobs post-shooting 2015-2022
Interpretation
Officer Involved Factors Interpretation
Across officer involved factors, fatal shootings remain heavily shaped by officer demographics and staffing patterns, with officers being 85% white and multiple officers involved in 70% of incidents, while only 12% of officers in 2022 were female and Black officers accounted for just 8% of fatal shootings despite making up 7% of force from 2015 to 2022.
06 · Category
Temporal Trends21 stats
01
Fatal shootings increased 15% from 2019 to 2022 nationally
02
Post-George Floyd, 2020 saw 25% spike in shootings vs 2019, totaling 1,021
03
Weekend fatal shootings: 30% of weekly total, peaking Saturdays 2015-2023
04
Summer months (Jun-Aug) average 28% of annual fatalities 2015-2022
05
2015-2019 average: 990 per year, rose to 1,100+ post-2020
06
Nighttime (after 6pm) incidents: 55% of fatal shootings 2022
07
COVID lockdowns 2020 Q2 saw 10% drop, then rebound
08
2023 Q4: 291 fatal shootings, highest quarterly ever
09
Decade trend: 22% increase in rate per 100k officers 2013-2023
10
Holidays: 5% higher fatal rate around July 4th averages
11
2016 peak at 963, dipped to 999 in 2019, then rose
12
Post-2020 protests: sustained 12% elevation through 2023
13
Monthly average: 92 fatal shootings 2022 vs 83 in 2015
14
Evening rush hour (4-8pm): 35% of daily incidents 2021-2023
15
Annual growth: 1.5% pre-2020, 5% post-2020
16
Winter decline: 18% fewer in Dec-Feb vs summer 2015-2022
17
2021 rebound to 1,055 after 2020 record
18
Friday-Sunday: 42% of weekly fatal shootings 2023
19
Long-term: stable at ~1,000/year since 2015 tracking began
20
2024 projection: 1,200+ based on first half data
21
Pre-2015 estimates: 900-1,000 annual, underreported
Interpretation
Temporal Trends Interpretation
From a temporal trends perspective, fatal police shootings have increasingly clustered at certain times of day and year, with 2020 showing a 25% surge to 1,021 shootings after George Floyd and nights after 6pm accounting for 55% of fatal incidents in 2022, alongside summer months (June to August) averaging 28% of annual fatalities from 2015 to 2022.
report visual · Key figures
Police shootings peaked in 2023
Fatal police shootings rose to the highest annual total since tracking began in 2015.
1,164
In 2023, 1,164 people were killed by police gunfire in the US, marking the highest annual total since tracking began in
1,021
In 2020, 1,021 fatal shootings by police, highest on record at the time
1,055
2021 rebound to 1,055 after 2020 record
12%
From May 2020 to April 2021, amid protests, fatal police shootings increased by 12% compared to pre-2020 averages, total
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Ryan Townsend. (2026, February 13). Police Involved Shooting Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/police-involved-shooting-statistics
MLA
Ryan Townsend. "Police Involved Shooting Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/police-involved-shooting-statistics.
Chicago
Ryan Townsend. 2026. "Police Involved Shooting Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/police-involved-shooting-statistics.
Sources & references
10 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level