Mass Murder: Media Myth and Reality

• In Event: Serial and Mass Murder Incidents and Offenders

Abstract

Using USA Today data, Nexis, and other sources, we examine characteristics of mass killings--number of incidents, body count, % public episodes, terrorist incidents, and TV, internet, and newspaper publicity--for the years 2006 to 2016. In addition, we examine the media characterization of episodes of violence as "mass shootings" or as the work of "active shooters" over the same period of time. Our results help to explain why fear of violent crime has escalated at the same time that the prevalence of mass killings has remained stable. Rather than report episodes of mass murder in which four or more victims are slain, television and internet reporters characterize acts of violence in schools, shopping malls, and other public places as mass shootings carried out by active shooters, even when no victims have lost their lives. Moreover, most acts of mass murder are not politically motivated and are perpetrated by non-Muslim American citizens for personal gain. They therefore would not qualify as terrorist episodes under FBI guidelines.

Authors

• Jack Levin, Northeastern University

• Savannah Wilkinson, Northeastern University

• Murat Uzer, Northeastern University