Factors involved in mass shootings: an analysis of cases in Latin America, 2000-2022
Authors
- Hediany de Andrade Melo (ES) Universidad de Salamanca (España) https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9419-1586
- Jason R. Silva (US) Universidad William Paterson (Estados Unidos) https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9544-9780
Abstract
This study examines the factors surrounding mass shootings by focusing on the profiles of perpetrators and the characteristics of the events. To achieve this, two main objectives were pursued. First, a set of variables was developed to capture the following indicators: 1) countries and dates of occurrence; 2) sociodemographic data of the perpetrators; 3) location of the events; 4) motivations; 5) firearms used; 6) number of fatalities; and 7) the outcomes for the perpetrators, with three possible consequences: suicide, death by a third party, or incarceration. Second, these variables were applied to cases in Latin America from 2000 to 2022. The selection of this region is motivated by the prevalence of studies on this topic that focus primarily on the United States, making this analysis of a different geographical area a response to recent research suggesting that mass shootings are a global phenomenon. This is an empirical study using descriptive statistics. Through the results and discussions, it provides a roadmap that helps to understand a type of violence that is difficult to study due to its heterogeneity, while offering necessary pieces to decipher its complex puzzle.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Hediany de andrade melo, Jason R. Silva
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
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