Study found that 7% of Americans have been present at a scene of a mass shooting and 2% had been injured in one

Summary

A new study from the University of Colorado Boulder finds that 7% of U.S. adults have witnessed a mass shooting, and over 2% have been injured in one.

Researchers define mass shootings as incidents where four or more people are shot in public spaces. With nearly 5,000 such events since 2014, experts stress the need for public health strategies to address the psychological and physical impacts.

The study highlights how mass shootings are not isolated events but a widespread issue affecting millions of Americans.

  • sp3ctr4lEnglish
    14•1 day ago

    Hi, my name is sp3ctr4l, good to meet you!

    A few years back, I was walking along a sidewalk, heading home from a bar, approaching within 100 feet of a group of people.

    But, before I got too close, a car came screaming down the road from in front of me, and then slowed way down as it got parallel with the group.

    … And then a krink (AK pistol) emerged from a window, magazine emptied, whole lot of blood curdling screaming and possibly some return fire (sounded like a different caliber) as I dove through some hedges for cover.

    Thats a mass shooting, I could have been shot, perhaps now maybe you could say you know me.

      • sp3ctr4lEnglish
        6•22 hours ago

        It almost certainly was some kind of gang or drug dealer territory kind of dispute… but yeah, it waa definitionally a mass shooting, but I guess mass shootings only happen if most of the victims are white and not poor, because uh…

        Anyway, I did manage to scramble away, have a panic attack, then call 911, ambulances got there in 10 minutes, cops were seemingly already nearbh and blazed past before I even made the 911 call.

        … another insane part was that as I was scrambling away, around a block and down a hill, having a panic and/or heart attack…

        … there’s a very preppy looking guy walking a little yappy dog, up the hill, with ear buds in.

        He pulls one out and asks ‘Was that a car backfiring?’

        I respond, gasping for air: ‘NO. GUNSHOTS. DRIVEBY. Get InSIDE!’

        … this guy then looks at me in disgust like I just called him a slur, puts his earbud back in, jauntily continues walking up the hill toward a bunch of screaming, injured people.

        Sure, ok buddy, I’m the asshole, yep.

        -.-

        This all occured in an area where a very wealthy neighborhood and a pretty poor one meet.

        Guess this asshat didn’t realize the lines separating his neighborhood from… the 'hood… had just been redrawn.

      • sp3ctr4lEnglish
        1•23 hours ago

        Yeah… still got PTSD from loud bangs.

        Though in fairness, a whole lot more of my life has also contributed to that.