A new FBI report documenting where “mass shootings” occurred in the United States in 2023 found that open spaces such as roads, residential areas, parks and outdoor venues were the places where victims were most likely to be targeted.
Last year, there were 48 mass shootings in 26 states, leaving 105 people dead and 139 injured, according to federal investigators.
California, which has the nation’s strictest gun laws, led the way with eight, followed by Texas and Washington with four each.
The FBI says it defines a mass shooter as “one or more individuals who are actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a populated area.”
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The mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, last October was the deadliest mass shooting in the United States in 2023. (Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office)
According to the report, 28 of the incidents last year occurred in open spaces, followed by 14 in commercial facilities, including retail and entertainment venues, three in educational facilities, two in health care facilities and one in a residential building.
The deadliest shooting occurred on October 25, when a gunman killed 18 people at a bowling alley and bar in Lewiston, Maine, and was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound two days later.
Of the 49 shooters involved in the 2023 attacks, all were male except for one, who identified as both female and transgender, according to the FBI.
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The perpetrators, aged between 17 and 72, used 43 handguns in the attacks, followed by 16 rifles and one shotgun.
The FBI said it released the report on Monday to “provide a high-level overview of mass shootings to help law enforcement, other emergency responders, and the public better understand the level of threat associated with mass shootings.”
Investigators gather outside Star Dance Studio following a mass shooting at the studio on Sunday, January 22, 2023 in Monterey Park, California. (AP/Damien Dvarganes)
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“In 2023, the FBI designated 48 active shooter incidents. Although the number of incidents was down 4% from 2022 (50), the number of active shooter incidents increased 60% from 2019 (30),” the report states. “From 2019-2023, the FBI designated 229 active shooter incidents. This represents an 89% increase in active shooter incidents (121) compared to the previous five-year period (2014-2018).”
Fox News’ David Spunt contributed to this report.
