There were 24 shootings classified as active shooter incidents last year, according to the recent FBI 2024 Active Shooter Incidents in the United States report, down from 48 incidents in 2023.
The 24 incidents happened in 19 states and in five location categories: commerce, education, government, houses of worship and open space.
An active shooter is defined as one or more individuals actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a populated area.
The report provides an overview of active shooter incidents. It addresses capabilities and responses to active shooter and mass casualty events. The goal is to help law enforcement, other first responders, and the public better understand the threats levels.
The FBI began examining active shooter incidents following the Investigative Assistance for Violent Crimes Act of 2012. The bureau examined data starting with 2000.
For the five year period 2020 to 2024, there were 223 active shooter incidents, a 70 percent increase from 2015 to 2019. The incidents occurred in 43 states and the District of Columbia, representing all seven location categories.
The FBI trains the public in active shooter survival through outreach and education. It assists law enforcement in active shooter prevention, response, and recovery efforts.