Police Shootings

• In Event: Unpacking Police and Deadly Force

Abstract

Shootings represent a critical public health crisis, with police shootings representing a significant share of all shootings in the United States each year. Research has shown that the impacts of police shootings extend beyond those directly involved, resulting in negative outcomes such as poor mental health and reduced voter turnout within affected communities. However, existing studies primarily focus on fatal police shootings, overlooking the full scope of incidents, including nonfatal shootings. This narrow focus raises questions about the comprehensiveness of the current evidence. The present study addresses this gap by examining both fatal and nonfatal police shootings, revealing that these events are not random occurrences. Moreover, the findings indicate that community factors, such as access to healthcare, significantly influence the likelihood of a police shooting resulting in fatality.

Authors

• Josh McCrain, University of Utah

• Justin Nix, University of Nebraska Omaha

• Ian T. Adams, University of South Carolina

• Trey Bussey, University of Cincinnati

• Jessica Huff, University of Cincinnati

• Brenna Dunlap, University of Cincinnati