Mass Killings in U.S. Fall to Lowest Level Since 2006, Database Shows

Mass Killings Drop To Near‑Two‑Decade Low

The United States has recorded 17 mass killings so far in 2025, the fewest in nearly two decades, according to the long‑running national database maintained by The Associated Press, USA Today and Northeastern University. The database defines a mass killing as an incident in which four or more people are intentionally killed within a 24‑hour period, excluding the perpetrator.

Most, but not all, of this year’s incidents involved firearms: 14 of the 17 mass killings in 2025 were carried out with guns. The database summary did not provide details on the three non‑firearm incidents; based on its methodology and past reports, such events typically involve stabbings, deliberate arson, blunt‑force attacks or vehicles used as weapons.

What The Numbers Say

Criminologist James Alan Fox of Northeastern University, who helps oversee the database, said the 2025 total represents about a 24% decline from 2024, which itself fell roughly 20% from 2023. He cautioned that annual totals can fluctuate sharply because the absolute numbers are small: a handful of cases up or down can make a large percentage difference.

“Will 2026 see a decline? I wouldn’t bet on it. What goes down must also go back up.” — James Alan Fox, Northeastern University

James Densley, a professor at Metropolitan State University in Minnesota, echoed the caution. He noted that the modest annual counts mean short‑term swings are common, and that a single year of improvement does not mean the problem is solved.

Possible Factors Behind Fewer Fatalities

Experts say several factors may be contributing to the lower toll in 2025. Broader declines in homicide and violent‑crime rates since the COVID‑19‑era peaks could be part of the trend. Improvements in immediate medical response at mass‑casualty scenes — including faster bleeding control, trauma care by first responders and proximity to specialized hospitals — may also be reducing fatalities in some incidents.

Densley pointed to an August shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minnesota as an example: two students were killed and dozens were wounded, but rapid bleeding control and trauma response likely limited the number of deaths.

Recent Incidents And Context

The database’s most recent entry describes a shooting at a child’s birthday party in California last week that left four people dead, including three children. By contrast, 2019 remains the deadliest recent year on record for the database, with 49 mass killings — the highest annual total since tracking began in 2006.

While the 2025 totals offer cautious optimism, researchers stress that volatility in year‑to‑year counts and the ongoing occurrence of tragic incidents mean vigilance and continued efforts to prevent and respond to mass violence remain essential.