Mass Shooting

Mass Shootings in the US by Year (Key Statistics)

Published on: April 23, 2023
Last Updated: April 23, 2023

Mass Shootings in the US by Year (Key Statistics)

Published on: April 23, 2023
Last Updated: April 23, 2023

Gun violence is a global problem. But over the years, the United States had it worse than other countries. Every year, mass shooting incidents in the country increase.

Most of them were carried out in schools or workplaces, causing a public concern. 

Here is the latest data on mass shootings in the US by year. We will include all relevant information about gun violence to instill vigilance among our readers. 

Mass Shootings in the US

Mass Shooting

There were 402 mass shootings in the United States between 1966 to 2020. These deadly incidents affected 3,590 victims, 1,449 of which are fatalities. 

Data on mass shootings in the US by year shows the numbers have increased significantly from 1966 to 2020.

The period covering 1966 to 1975 shows only 12 mass shooting incidents compared to the 120 incidents recorded between 2011 to 2020. 

Mass Shootings in the US by Year (1982 to 2022)

Take a look at this comprehensive data on mass shootings in the US by year from 1982 to 2022. 

1982 to 1989

  • 1982 – there was 1 recorded mass shooting in the country during the year
  • 1983 – there were no mass shooting incidents recorded in the country during the year
  • 1984 – there were 2 recorded mass shooting incidents in the country during the year
  • 1985 – there were no mass shooting incidents recorded in the country during the year
  • 1986 – there was 1 recorded mass shooting in the country during the year
  • 1987 – there was 1 recorded mass shooting in the country during the year
  • 1988 – there was 1 recorded mass shooting in the country during the year
  • 1989 – there were 2 recorded mass shooting incidents in the country during the year

1990 to 1999 

  • 1990 – there was 1 recorded mass shooting in the country during the year
  • 1991 – there were 3 recorded mass shooting incidents in the country during the year
  • 1992 – there were 2 recorded mass shooting incidents in the country during the year
  • 1993 – there were 4 recorded mass shooting incidents in the country during the year
  • 1994 – there was 1 recorded mass shooting in the country during the year
  • 1995 – there was 1 recorded mass shooting in the country during the year
  • 1996 – there was 1 recorded mass shooting in the country during the year
  • 1997 – there were 2 recorded mass shooting incidents in the country during the year
  • 1998 – there were 3 recorded mass shooting incidents in the country during the year
  • 1999 – there were 5 recorded mass shooting incidents in the country during the year

2000 to 2009 

  • 2000 – there was 1 recorded mass shooting in the country during the year
  • 2001 – there was 1 recorded mass shooting in the country during the year
  • 2002 – there was no recorded mass shooting incident in the country during the year
  • 2003 – there was 1 recorded mass shooting in the country during the year
  • 2004 – there was 1 recorded mass shooting in the country during the year
  • 2005 – there were 2 recorded mass shooting incidents in the country during the year
  • 2006 – there were 3 recorded mass shooting incidents in the country during the year
  • 2007 – there were 4 recorded mass shooting incidents in the country during the year
  • 2008 – there were 3 recorded mass shooting incidents in the country during the year
  • 2009 – there were 4 recorded mass shooting incidents in the country during the year

2010 to 2019 (Sudden Spike in Mass Shooting Incidents Were Recorded)

  • 2010 – there was 1 recorded mass shooting in the country during the year
  • 2011 – there were 3 recorded mass shooting incidents in the country during the year
  • 2012 – there were 7 recorded mass shooting incidents in the country during the year
  • 2013 – there were 5 recorded mass shooting incidents in the country during the year
  • 2014 – there were 4 recorded mass shooting incidents in the country during the year
  • 2015 – there were 7 recorded mass shooting incidents in the country during the year
  • 2016 – there were 6 recorded mass shooting incidents in the country during the year
  • 2017 – there were 11 recorded mass shooting incidents in the country during the year
  • 2018 – there were 12 recorded mass shooting incidents in the country during the year
  • 2019 – there were 10 recorded mass shooting incidents in the country during the year

2020 to the Present

  • 2020 – there were 2 recorded mass shooting incidents in the country during the year
  • 2021 – there were 6 recorded mass shooting incidents in the country during the year
  • 2022 – there were 12 recorded mass shooting incidents in the country during the year
  • 2023 – there are 5 recorded mass shooting incidents in the country so far this year

Background of Shooters

According to the study published by the Rockefeller Institute of Government, more than 95% of all mass shooters in US history are male.

The median age for the perpetrators is 33.2 years old, and nearly 75% of them used handguns. 

Mass Shootings in the US by 2023 (Fatalities)

Mass Shooting

Mass shooting is defined as an act when an attacker kills multiple individuals using a firearm.

Below is a piece of information about the number of fatalities on mass shootings in the US by year.

  • 2014 – the United States recorded 273 fatalities from mass shootings during the year
  • 2015 – the United States recorded 336 fatalities from mass shootings during the year
  • 2016 – the United States recorded 383 fatalities from mass shootings during the year
  • 2017 – the United States recorded 348 fatalities from mass shootings during the year
  • 2018 – the United States recorded 336 fatalities from mass shootings during the year
  • 2019 – the United States recorded 417 fatalities from mass shootings during the year
  • 2020 – the United States recorded 610 fatalities from mass shootings during the year
  • 2021 – the United States recorded 690 fatalities from mass shootings during the year
  • 2022 – the United States recorded 647 fatalities from mass shootings during the year
  • 2023 – there are 146 fatalities from mass shooting incidents in the United States so far this year

Race of Shooters in the United States

52% among all perpetrators of mass shootings in the United States are White, 18% are Black, 8% are Latino, 7% are Asian, and only 2% are Native American. 

Conclusion

This article on mass shootings in the United States by year shows an alarming growth of these types of incidents annually. 

There are little to no mass shootings reported in the early 1980s.

This has changed in the period covering 2010 to 2019 where gun violence targeting the general population suddenly spiked. 

Remember, these numbers speak a lot. Always be vigilant!

Sources

StatistaRockInstBBC
BritannicaPewResearchEverytown Research
Gun Violence ArchiveStatistaCBS News
GvpediaStatistaWisevoter
NIJ OJP Gov

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Written by Kelly Indah

I’m a statistics researcher here at EarthWeb with a special interest in privacy, tech, diversity, equality and human rights. I have a master’s degree in Computer Science and I have my Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification.