Deadliest mass shootings in the United States

Here is an overview of some of the deadliest mass shootings in the United States in the past three decades.

Parents wait for news after a reports of a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

Parents wait for news after a reports of a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Source: AAP

Las Vegas concert: 58 killed

A 64-year-old man whose father had been on the FBI's most wanted list in the late 1960s shoots down from his hotel room at a crowd attending an outdoor country music concert on October 1, 2017, killing 58 people and wounding some 546 before committing suicide. It is the worst mass shooting in modern US history.

The haunting photo of a young man covering a woman from bullets during the Las Vegas massacre.
The haunting photo of a young man covering a woman from bullets during the Las Vegas massacre. Source: Getty Images


Florida club: 49 killed

A heavily-armed gunman opens fire inside a gay nightclub in the city of Orlando on June 12, 2016 and kills 49 people.

The attacker is killed in a shootout with police; he pledges allegiance to the Islamic State group, which later claims responsibility.

Ray Rivera, a DJ at Pulse Orlando nightclub, is consoled by a friend, outside of the Orlando Police Department after the massacre
Ray Rivera, a DJ at Pulse Orlando nightclub, is consoled by a friend, outside of the Orlando Police Department after the massacre Source: AAP


Virginia Tech: 32 killed

A 23-year-old student of Korean origin goes on a rampage at Virginia Tech University in the town of Blacksburg in April 2007. He kills 27 students and five teachers before committing suicide. 

Injured occupants are carried out of Norris Hall at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia
Injured occupants are carried out of Norris Hall at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia Source: AAP


Sandy Hook: 26 killed

A disturbed 20-year-old man kills his mother in Newtown, Connecticut, in December 2012 before blasting his way into Sandy Hook Elementary School and shooting dead 20 six- and seven-year old children and six adults. He commits suicide.

White roses bearing the faces of victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting
White roses bearing the faces of victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting Source: AAP


Texas restaurant: 22 dead

In October 1991 a man shoots dead 22 people in a restaurant in the town of Killeen and then kills himself.

Florida high school shooting: 17 killed

On February 14, 2018, 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz, a former student of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, opened fire at the school killing 17 people. The rampage was one of the deadliest school shootings in modern US history.

Prosecutors will seek the death penalty for Cruz, who has admitted to carrying out the attack.

People are brought out of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School after a shooting at the Florida school.
People are brought out of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School after a shooting at the Florida school. Source: Getty Images


California office party: 14 dead

A newlywed radicalized Muslim couple storm an Christmas office party at a social services centre in San Bernardino in December 2015 and gun down 14 people, wounding 22 others. They are shot dead by police.

2015 Los Angeles Times
Women cry during a funeral service for San Bernardino shooting victim Isaac Amanios at the St. Minas Orthodox Church in Colton Source: Los Angeles Times


Fort Hood military base: 13 dead

In November 2009 a US army psychiatrist opens fire at his military base in Killeen, killing 13 people and wounding 42, before being overpowered by police. 

President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pay their respects in 2009 at a memorial service at Fort Hood, Texas, for the victims of the Fort Hood shootings
President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pay their respects in 2009 at a memorial service at Fort Hood, Texas, for the victims of the Fort Hood shootings Source: AAP


New York immigrant centre: 13 dead

A Vietnamese immigrant shoots dead 13 people at a civic centre in the New York state city of Binghamton in April 2009, before killing himself.

Imam Kasim Kopuz conducts a funeral service for Layla Khalil of Iraq after she was killed by a gunman at a civic center in Binghamton, New York in 2009
Imam Kasim Kopuz conducts a funeral service for Layla Khalil of Iraq after she was killed by a gunman at a civic center in Binghamton, New York in 2009 Source: AAP


California bar: 12 dead

A 28-year-old Marine Crops veteran killed 12 people in a country bar packed with college students in California on 8 November 2018.

Terrified patrons ran out the back door and smashed windows in an attempt to escape before the shooter was found dead.

 A man holds his head in his hands outside the Borderline Bar and Grill in Thousand Oaks, following the shooting.
A man holds his head in his hands outside the Borderline Bar and Grill in Thousand Oaks, following the shooting. Source: AP


Denver cinema: 12 dead

A young man wearing body armour storms a cinema showing a late-night premiere of a Batman film in Aurora in July 2012, opening fire and releasing tear gas. Twelve people and 70 wounded. He is sentenced to life in prison.

US Navy Officer Keith Hoover with his girlfriend Monica Matryba hold a photo of fellow sailor Jon Larimer, who was killed during the Aurora shooting.
US Navy Officer Keith Hoover with his girlfriend Monica Matryba hold a photo of fellow sailor Jon Larimer, who was killed during the Aurora shooting. Source: AAP


Columbine High: 12 dead

Two teenage boys shoot and kill 12 classmates and a teacher at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, in April 1999, before killing themselves. 

Unidentified young women head to a library near Columbine High School where students and faculty members were evacuated after the mass shooting in 1999
Unidentified young women head to a library near Columbine High School where students and faculty members were evacuated after the mass shooting in 1999 Source: AAP


Washington Navy Yard: 12 dead

A former serviceman shoots randomly at workers at the Washington Navy Yard headquarters in September 2013, killing 12 people before he is shot dead by officers.

Members of the military look out from a nearby building toward police units responding to a shooting at the Navy Yard in Washington, DC, September 16, 2013.
Members of the military look out from a nearby building toward police units responding to a shooting at the Navy Yard in Washington, DC, September 16, 2013. Source: AFP


Pittsburgh synagogue: 11 dead

A shooter killed 11 people and injured six in the deadliest attack on Jews in American history.

The 46-year-old shooter armed with an AR-15 assault rifle and three handguns killed 11 worshippers at a synagogue in Pittsburgh.

Protesters made their presence felt in Pittsburgh.
Protesters made their presence felt in Pittsburgh. Source: AAP



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3 min read
Published 2 October 2017 10:45pm
Updated 9 November 2018 10:17am
Source: AFP, SBS


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