Recent US Mass Shootings Context The query "how many shooters" likely refers to the number of perpetrators in recent US mass shootings, given ongoing discussions around gun violence. Most mass shootings involve a single shooter acting alone. Multiple shooters are rare, occurring in only about 1% of incidents according to FBI data on active shooter events from 2000 to 2013.
Statistics on Shooters FBI analysis of 160 active shooter incidents found perpetrators were female in just 4% of cases, with more than one perpetrator in only 2 incidents (1%). Broader studies, like one from the National Institute of Justice covering 1966 to 2022, show 97.7% male shooters, typically acting solo. In 2024 data up to August, 84 out of 155 mass shootings had white shooters, nearly all singular.
Trends and Definitions Mass shooting definitions vary: Gun Violence Archive counts 4+ shot (excluding shooter), while FBI focuses on active killers in public. Over 488 mass shootings occurred in 2024 per Gun Violence Archive, with the vast majority lone actors. Total historical counts reach 508 from 1966 to late 2025.
