We recently examined reports on Active Shooter Statistics, between 2000-2016, and concluded that the number of active shooter incidents has risen significantly over the years.
Shortly thereafter, the FBI published a new report on the statistics for active shooter incidents in 2016 and 2017.
Here’s our takeaways from this report.
Active Shooter Incidents are Still Rising
The FBI defines active shooter incidents as incidents where “one or more individuals actively engage in killing or attempting to kill people in a populated area.” According to the FBI, there were a reported number of 20 active shooter incidents in 2016, and 30 reported active shooter incidents in 2017</strong
Where Do these Incidents Occur?
- Active shooter incidents can occur anywhere.
- Most commonly reported locations are in commerce, education, open spaces, government, places of worship and healthcare facilities.
- In 2016- 2017,
- 16 incidents occurred in business environment
- 7 incidents occurred in education
- 14 incidents occurred in open space
- 3 incidents occurred in government
- 2 incidents occurred at places of worship
- 4 incidents occurred in healthcare facilities
Casualties are Still Rising
- Years 2014-2015 resulted in 231 casualties
- Years 2016-2017 resulted in 943 casualties
- This is a significant increase in the number of casualties
What does this mean?
- Even though the number of incidents hardly increased between 2015 and 2016, and increased by 10 incidents between 2016 and 2017, the number of casualties more than quadrupled between 2014 and 2017.
- This means that active shooters have been able to kill many more people during these incidents.
However, Civilians Impact the Response
- In 10 incidents during 2016-2017, civilians confronted the shooter.
- In 8 of those incidents, the civilians helped stop the shooter
What does this mean?
- Each and every one of us play an important role in protecting ourselves against active shooter incidents.
- We need to know how to prepare for, and respond to, such incidents.
- Therefore, Active Threat Response Training programs are important for every individual to know how to respond in public and in the workplace.
In conclusion, active shooter statistics represent what is occurring in our nation. The statistics show us that active shooter situations are still increasing in frequency. These findings prove that we need to make a change and prepare ourselves as the number of incidents continues to rise.
Is your workplace, school or place of worship adequately prepared if an active shooter incident were to occur on premise? Let Guardian Defense help you to get prepared now!
