West

Mass killings fall to lowest level in nearly two decades, national database shows

Published

2 months ago

December 13, 2025

Mass killings fall to lowest level in nearly two decades, national database shows

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The U.S. has recorded 17 mass killings so far in 2025, the lowest number since 2006, according to a long-running national database tracking such incidents.

The database, maintained by The Associated Press, USA Today and Northeastern University, defines a mass killing as an incident in which four or more people are intentionally killed within a 24-hour period, excluding the perpetrator.

Not all of this year’s mass killings involved guns, but most did.

Fourteen of the 17 mass killings in 2025 were carried out with guns. The data did not detail the three non-firearm incidents in its summary, but based on the database’s methodology and past reporting, non-gun mass killings typically involve stabbings, intentional arson, blunt-force attacks or the use of a vehicle as a weapon.

MISSISSIPPI HOMECOMING FOOTBALL GAME SHOOTING: 4 SUSPECTS ARRESTED AFTER 6 DEAD, 20 INJURED

People pray near the site of a shooting at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Mich., Sept. 29, 2025. (Reuters/Rebecca Cook)

James Alan Fox, a criminologist at Northeastern University who helps manage the database, said mass killings are down about 24% this year compared to 2024, which saw roughly a 20% decline from 2023.

Fox added that he’s not confident the trend will continue because the totals tend to swing sharply from year to year and that a few cases up or down can look like a big change.

“Will 2026 see a decline? I wouldn’t bet on it,” Fox told the AP. “What goes down must also go back up.”

James Densley, a professor at Metropolitan State University in Minnesota, said the drop may simply reflect the small number of mass killings recorded annually.

MASS SHOOTING AT STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA, BANQUET HALL LEAVES 4 DEAD, 10 WOUNDED

A man on his phone looks down as church members reunite at Trillium Theater across the street from the site of a shooting and fire at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Sept. 28, 2025, in Grand Blanc, Mich. (Emily Elconin/Getty Images)

“Because there’s only a few dozen mass killings in a year, a small change could look like a wave or a collapse,” he told the outlet, adding, “2025 looks really good in historical context, but we can’t pretend like that means the problem is gone for good.”

Densley said the decline may also be influenced by falling homicide and violent-crime rates nationwide after COVID-19-era spikes.

Two people stand outside the Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis after a shooter killed two students and injured several others in August. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

Improvements in immediate response to mass casualty events could also be contributing, he said.

He pointed to the Annunciation Catholic Church shooting in Minnesota in August in which two students died and dozens more were injured.

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“The reason only two people were killed is because of the bleeding control and trauma response by the first responders,” he said. “And it happened on the doorsteps of some of the best children’s hospitals in the country.”

The most recent mass killing occurred in California last week when a child’s birthday party was shot up, killing four people, including three children.

In 2019, there were 49 mass killings recorded, the highest annual total since the database began tracking cases in 2006.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Michael Dorgan is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business.

You can send tips to michael.dorgan@fox.com and follow him on Twitter @M_Dorgan.

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Montana

Some of the coldest air in the country is right here in Montana

Published

35 minutes ago

February 19, 2026

Press Room

Some of the coldest air in the country is right here in Montana

Lows dipped below zero for the majority of our area this morning. Air temperatures were as low as the -20s for some, the coldest in the contiguous United States.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19TH: Today will be another cold day. Lows have dipped into the -20s for some, with wind chills in northeast Montana between -30° and -40°. Highs only reach the single digits and teens. Pop-up snow showers will form in the mountains of southwestern Montana in the afternoon, causing minimal impacts to most.

Be careful on the roads today. A lot of the Helena area is snow-covered and very slick.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20TH: Temperatures will begin to warm slightly on Friday, but not by much. Morning lows will be in the single digits above and below zero. Highs will reach the teens and 20s. More light snow will come through western Montana in the afternoon and evening. Accumulation should be around 1-2 inches in the mountains, with another coating possible in lower elevations.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21ST: Morning lows dip into the single digits and teens. Highs will reach the 20s and 30s with mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies. Snow moves out temporarily.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22ND: Sunday will be similar to Saturday. Highs reach the 30s and 40s under partly cloudy skies.

LONG-RANGE FORECAST: Wind will begin to pick up on Monday, warming most locations back above normal. Wind will be strong and gusty through at least the middle of next week. Some more rain and snow will enter the state on Tuesday.

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WEATHER ALERTS:

NWS Data & Hazard Viewer

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Helena Temperature Records Today:
High: 64 (1981)
Low: -23 (1882)
AVG: 38/18

Great Falls Temperature Records Today:
High: 67 (1981)
Low: -29 (2025)
AVG: 38/15

MTN

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Nevada

State offices on two hour delay due to weather conditions

Published

47 minutes ago

February 19, 2026

Press Room

State offices on two hour delay due to weather conditions

RENO, Nev. (KOLO) – State offices in Nevada are on a two hour delay due to winter weather.

The opening of state offices in Carson City, Douglas, Storey, and Washoe Counties was delayed by two hours Thursday morning.

Heavy snowfall and high winds are creating hazardous driving conditions around northern Nevada.

State offices will open at 10:00 a.m.

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New Mexico

More snow and strong winds coming to NW New Mexico through Friday

Published

1 hour ago

February 19, 2026

Press Room

More snow and strong winds coming to NW New Mexico through Friday

A fast-moving Pacific front may bring brief snow squalls Wednesday afternoon and evening across northwest New Mexico, including near the Continental Divide, Gallup and Farmington.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – A fast-moving Pacific front may bring brief snow squalls Wednesday afternoon and evening across northwest New Mexico, including near the Continental Divide, Gallup and Farmington.

Impacts could include sudden heavy snow, near zero visibility and quick accumulation of 1–2 inches. A flash freeze could create very hazardous travel conditions.

Travel across northwest New Mexico late today is discouraged if possible. Additional weak disturbances tonight keep a 10–30% chance of snow showers along and west of the central mountain chain.

Weather outlook

Additional snow amounts will be light and mainly in the mountains. Winds remain strong, especially along and east of the central mountain chain.

Thursday will still be windy, but not as strong as today. Gusts are generally 30–40 mph, with up to 50 mph along and east of the central mountain chain, especially in the morning.

Light snow showers remain possible west and north, with temperatures continuing to trend colder. Highs range from near average in the far east to up to 18 degrees below normal in western New Mexico.

Friday’s storm

Another storm moves through on Friday, bringing more snow for northwest and northern mountains. A few inches are likely, with up to 6 inches in the Tusas Mountains.

Another snow squall is possible Friday morning across northwest New Mexico, which may be stronger than today’s. Brief heavy snow and very low visibility are possible.

Winds will increase again, with gusts 40–50 mph common and near 60 mph possible along and east of the central mountain chain.

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