FBI Figures Reveal Significant Rise in Fatalities from Active Shooting Incidents in 2021

Last week, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) issued a report concerning active shooter incidents in 2021. The Bureau’s data showed the number of active shooter incidents increased in the U.S. by 53 percent from 2020 to 2021. Between 2017 and 2021, the rise in these events constitutes a 97 percent increase over the four years, indicating an upward trend.

The report released on May 23 revealed 61 active shooter incidents in the U.S. in 2021, spread across 30 states, leaving 103 people dead and 140 wounded. For a historical perspective, the FBI recorded 20 such incidents in the years between 2014 to 2016, 31 incidents in 2017, and 30 incidents each in 2018 and 2019.

As defined by the FBI, an active shooter is “one or more individuals actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a populated area.” The “active” descriptor identifies the ongoing nature of the incident and its potential impact, while the “shooter” designation implies the use of a firearm. In using this description, the FBI noted that its report on active shooters does not cover all gun violence or mass shootings; however, 12 of the 61 incidents also met the criteria for mass killings.

Sixty-one different shooters perpetrated the incidents—60 males and one female, ranging in age from 12 to 67 years old. A total of six incidents occurred in California; five took place in Georgia and Texas; and four in Colorado and Florida, respectively.

A trend of “roving active shooters” also emerged in 2021, in which shooters perpetrated their crimes in multiple locations over the course of several days.

In a statement accompanying the report, the FBI stated they continue to partner with federal, state, local, tribal, and campus law enforcement in their active shooter prevention, response, and recovery efforts, as well as training their international law enforcement partners.

“The FBI remains steadfast in its efforts to train private citizens, as it is imperative that citizens understand the risks faced and the resources available in an active shooter situation,” the statement continued.

Since September 2014, the FBI has released a series of active shooter-related reports. Rather than covering all aspects of active shooter incidents, the Bureau designed these reports to provide first responders, corporations, educators, and the public with a baseline understanding of these incidents.

For additional resources on this threat, the FBI has consolidated active shooter resources.