Public Mass Shooters Who Target Specific Women: An Empirical Analysis of Target–Offender Relationships, Timing, and Key Characteristics

For this study, we closely examined public mass shooters who targeted specific women and quantitatively compared them to other shooters. Results indicate that nearly one-quarter (24%) of public mass shooters in the United States have targeted specific women, the target-offender relationship was usually romantic/sexual or familial, and 80% of the targeted women were ultimately killed. Compared to other mass shooters, perpetrators who targeted specific women more often (1) had a history of sex offending and domestic abuse, (2) were divorced/separated, (3) had experienced a recent breakup, and (4) had several other key characteristics. Implications for violence prevention and future research are discussed.