What's happened
U.S. mass killings declined in 2025, with 17 incidents resulting in at least 81 deaths. Experts caution this may reflect a return to average levels rather than a lasting trend, with firearm involvement remaining high at 82%. The data highlights ongoing concerns about gun violence despite recent decreases.
What's behind the headline?
The decline in 2025 mass killings appears significant but is likely a statistical regression to the mean rather than a sign of long-term safety improvements. Experts like James Alan Fox emphasize that such rare events are highly volatile, with small fluctuations appearing as waves. The drop coincides with broader declines in homicide and violent crime rates, partly due to pandemic-related factors and better emergency responses, such as rapid trauma care. However, the persistent high rate of firearm involvement—82% of incidents—underscores that gun violence remains a critical issue. The focus on mass killings risks overshadowing the broader, more pervasive problem of gun-related homicides and suicides, which cause far more deaths annually. Policy measures like the 2022 Safer Communities Act and increased school threat assessments are positive steps, but experts warn that the overall gun violence crisis is complex and multi-causal, requiring sustained, multifaceted approaches. The data suggests that while 2025's numbers are encouraging, they do not signal the end of the problem, which will likely resurface in future years.
What the papers say
The Independent provides a nuanced view, emphasizing that the decline may be temporary and cautioning against complacency. They cite experts like James Alan Fox and James Densley, who highlight the volatility of such data and the importance of broader crime trends. AP News offers detailed incident reports, illustrating the variety of recent mass shootings across different states, and underscores that firearm involvement remains dominant. Al Jazeera notes the historic decline from 2019's record 41 incidents, framing 2025 as a return to more typical levels, but also stresses that the US's gun violence rates are still disproportionately high compared to other countries. The sources collectively suggest that while the numbers are promising, the underlying issues of gun access, mental health, and social support systems continue to drive the crisis, and the recent decline should be viewed as part of a complex, ongoing pattern rather than a definitive turning point.
How we got here
Mass killings in the U.S. are tracked in a database maintained by The Associated Press, USA Today, and Northeastern University. The definition used is incidents where four or more people are killed within 24 hours, excluding the perpetrator. The year 2025 shows a notable decline from previous years, following a spike in 2018 and 2019, which experts attribute to statistical regression and other factors like improved emergency responses and declining overall violence post-pandemic.
Go deeper
Common question
-
Why Did Mass Killings Decrease in the US in 2025?
The US saw a significant drop in mass killings in 2025, marking a notable shift from recent years. Many wonder what caused this decline and whether it signals a lasting change. In this page, we explore the reasons behind the decrease, whether violence levels are stabilizing, and what factors might influence future trends. Keep reading to understand the latest insights into US violence and what it means for safety and policy moving forward.
-
What Are the Biggest News Stories Today?
Stay informed with the latest headlines shaping our world today. From political upheavals to energy concerns, these stories impact us all. Curious about how these events connect or what they mean for your daily life? Read on for clear, concise answers to your top questions about today's news.
More on these topics
-
Northeastern University is a private research university in Boston, Massachusetts, established in 1898. The university offers undergraduate and graduate programs on its main campus in Boston.
-
James Densley is a British-American sociologist and Professor of Criminal Justice at Metropolitan State University. He is best known as co-founder of The Violence Project and as co-author of the book, The Violence Project: How To Stop a Mass Shooting Epid
-
James Alan Fox is the Lipman Family Professor of Criminology, Law, and Public Policy and former dean at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, in the United States.
-
The University of Washington Tacoma is a branch campus of University of Washington in Tacoma, Washington. The UW Tacoma campus opened in leased space in 1990 and opened its permanent campus in 1997.
-
The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.
-
Metropolitan State University is a public university in the Minneapolis–St. Paul, Minnesota metropolitan area. It is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.
-
Mississippi is a state located in the Deep South region of the United States. Mississippi is the 32nd largest and 34th-most populous of the 50 U.S. states.
-
California is a state in the Pacific Region of the United States. With 39.5 million residents across a total area of about 163,696 square miles, California is the most populous U.S. state and the third-largest by area, and is also the world's thirty-fourt
-
Sir Isaac Newton PRS was an English mathematician, physicist, astronomer, theologian, and author who is widely recognised as one of the greatest mathematicians and most influential scientists of all time.