Active shooter incidents in the United States are on the rise, according to an FBI report analyzing data from 2000 to 2013. The report reveals a dramatic increase in the annual average of shootings—from 6.4 incidents per year between 2000-2006 to 16.4 per year from 2007-2013. In total, 160 incidents resulted in 486 deaths and 557 injuries.
Key findings include:
Duration: 60% of shootings lasted fewer than 5 minutes.
Perpetrators: Most involved a single male shooter, though six incidents featured female shooters.
Locations: Incidents occurred nationwide in schools, businesses, military bases, and public spaces, with no clear geographical trends.
Suicide: 64% of shooters ended their attacks by taking their own lives.
The FBI’s goal is to use this data to discern trends and better combat these unpredictable and devastating events. The findings have sparked ongoing debate about gun control measures, with advocates emphasizing the importance of background checks and restrictions on firearm access for individuals with serious mental health issues or histories of domestic violence.
For more details on the report and its implications, read the full article on U.S. News.