SEATTLE — New data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation shows Washington state had one of the highest numbers of "active shooter" incidents nationwide in 2023.
There were a total of 48 incidents, as defined by the FBI. Four of those happened in Washington state, where a total of 12 people were killed.
Texas also saw four active shooter incidents in 2023. California led the country with eight.
"I think that kind of data is just a wake-up call for anyone - that no one is immune from something like this happening," said Steve Bernd, spokesperson for the FBI in Seattle.
The FBI defines an active shooter incident as one or more people trying to kill people in a populated area.
The incidents in Washington include a shooting inside a Circle K in Yakima. A 21-year-old man armed with a handgun began shooting people, ultimately killing three before taking his own life.
In another, two people were killed and three others were wounded at the Gorge Amphitheater Campground. The 26-year-old man was arrested and later said he took mushrooms and started having hallucinations.
The other two were in the Puget Sound region, each spanning multiple locations. In January, a 32-year-old male began shooting at people in Renton and SeaTac. One person was killed and two were wounded. In December, a 28-year-old man began shooting at vehicles in Federal Way - one person was wounded.
Of the total of 49 shooters involved in the incidents in 2023, 48 were male and one identified as both female and transgender. They ranged in age from 17 to 72. In 48 incidents, 60 firearms were used.
The 48 active shooter incidents in 2023 occurred in 26 states.
In Washington state, there were 14 active shooter incidents between 2000-2019. Data does not show any active shooter incidents between 2020-2022, per the FBI.
There were 229 active shooter incidents between 2019 and 2023, representing an 89% increase of 121 from the previous five-year period.
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