A recent FBI report highlights the alarming frequency of active shooter incidents in the United States, now averaging one every three weeks. From 2000 to 2013, the report documented 160 incidents involving individuals actively killing or attempting to kill in populated areas.
Key insights include:
Duration: 69% of shootings ended in under 5 minutes, and 36% in 2 minutes or less.
Police Response: 60% of incidents concluded before police arrived, often leaving civilians to make life-and-death decisions.
Civilian Action: Unarmed citizens successfully intervened in 13% of incidents, compared to armed citizens in only 4%.
Locations: Nearly half occurred in businesses or malls, 24% at schools and universities, and 10% on government properties.
Domestic Violence Nexus: 10% of incidents targeted current or former partners, resulting in additional deaths and injuries.
While active shooter incidents remain rare, the detailed data underscores the critical need for preparedness and training for civilians and law enforcement alike.
For a deeper dive into the report’s findings, read the full article on The Washington Post.