In 2023, the US has seen more mass shootings per day than in any other year. This has resulted in thousands of deaths.
At least 191 shootings occurred in the first 127 calendar days of this year. The latest happened in a Texas shopping center that left nine people dead including the suspect gunman.
Gun Violence Archive data shows that the US averaged more than 39,000 gun-related deaths per year between 2014 and 2023. As of 1 May, at least 13,959 individuals had been killed by guns.
This is the equivalent of 115 people dying every day. On each of them, America is likely to witness a mass shooting.
Gun Violence Archive defines mass shootings as four or more individuals (excluding the perpetrator), shot at the same location and time, regardless of whether they were killed or not.
Here are the 10 deadliest mass shootings that have occurred this year. These figures include the death of any perpetrators who were killed on the spot.
1. Monterey Park, California (21 January) – 12 dead, nine injured
Victims include: My Nhan (65), Ming Wei Ma (72), Diana Tom (70), Lilian Li (53) Xiujuan Yu (57), Valentino Alvero (68) Muoi Ung (67), Hong Jian 62, Yu Kao (72) Chia Yau 76 and Wen Yu 64.
Huu CanTran, 72 years old, murdered 11 people at a Chinese New Year party held at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio, Monterey Park.
Tran’s body was discovered in his car after he fled from the scene of a second attempted shooting.
2. Allen, Texas (6 May) – nine dead, seven injured
Not yet named victims.
The gunman, who was standing outside of his vehicle, fired at the Premium Outlets Mall in Allen a suburb of Dallas. This sent hundreds of shoppers running in fear.
Authorities said that a policeman killed the gunman at the scene. The gunman is believed to be a lone shooter.
3. Enoch, Utah (4 January) – eight dead
Victims include Tausha Haight (40), Gail Earl (78), Tausha’s three daughters aged 7, 12 and 17 and her two boys aged 4 and 7.
A father shot himself after killing his wife, his five children and his mother in law. Michael Haight, 42 shot his wife Tausha 40 weeks after she filed for a divorce.
The police had been called to the house earlier on due to reports of a disturbance in the home.
4. Henryetta, Oklahoma (1 May) – seven dead
Victims include Ivy Webster (14), Brittany Brewer (15), Michael Mayo (15), Tiffany Guess (13), Rylee Allen (17), and Holly McFadden (35)
A sex offender from Oklahoma who was released early killed his wife and her three children , as well as their two friends , before killing himself.
These killings have raised questions about why Jesse McFadden was ever released. McFadden was sentenced to 20-years in prison for raping a 17-year old in the first degree in 2003. He was released early in 2020 due to his good behavior.
5. Nashville school shooting, Tennessee (27 March) – seven dead, one injured
Victims Evelyn Dieckhaus and Hallie Scraggs, William Kinney and Mike Hill are all nine-year-olds. Katherine Koonce is 60.
Audrey Hale shot and killed three adults and three children at a Christian private school.
Hale carried a detailed map of the school as well as a manifesto. He entered the building through the doors.
6. Half Moon Bay (23 Jan) – Seven dead and one injured
Victims: Zhishen Liu, 73, Marciano Martinez Jimenez, 50, Aixiang Zhang, 74, Qizhong Cheng, 66, Jingzhi Lu, 64, Yetao Bing, 43, Jose Romero Perez, age unknown.
In a small Californian city, two mass shootings that were a few miles apart resulted in seven deaths.
Chunli 67 Zhao was arrested by police after three people died at a trucking company and four others were killed on a farm. The victims were a mix of Chinese and Latino workers.
Later, he told police that he shot the man after his superior demanded $100 (PS81) to repair a forklift truck damaged.
7. Louisville, Kentucky (10.04.) – Six dead and eight injured
Victims include: Tommy Elliott (63), Juliana Farmer (57), Jim Tutt (64), Josh Barrick (40%), Deanna Eckert (57%).
Five people, including two police officers, were killed after 25-year old Connor Sturgeon shot at a Louisville bank.
A firefight with police resulted in the death of a former bank employee.
8. Goshen, California (16 January) – six dead
Alissa Parraz killed her own child, Nychola s s Rosa Parraz 72, Eladio Parraz Sr. 52, Jennifer Analla 49, Marcos Parraz 19
In a central California attack, six people were killed including a mother and her baby.
The police are searching for two suspects to determine if a drug cartel or gang targeted the family.
9. Lake Wales, Florida (2 May) – five dead
Not yet named victims.
Al Joseph Stenson (38), killed a woman and her three children in a Florida motel. Stenson died after a standoff lasting several hours with police.
While the police have confirmed that they knew each other and their relationship, they did not reveal names or ages.
10. San Jacinto County, Texas (28 April) – five dead
Francisco Oropeza (38), fled after killing five of his neighbours in rural Cleveland. He was found 20 miles away under a laundry heap.
The attack took place, after his neighbours requested that he stop firing rounds in his late-night garden because a child was trying to fall asleep.
The Las Vegas Shooting
Stephen Paddock’s 2017 Las Vegas shooting remains the most deadly mass shooting in the US to date. Paddock, 64 opened fire on an audience attending a music event. Paddock was later found dead from a gunshot wound he had inflicted on himself, 60 people were killed.
