Florida saw a total of 30 mass shootings in 2023, as reported by the Gun Violence Archive (GVA). This number is slightly lower than the 31 mass shootings reported in both 2021 and 2022. Across the United States, the year 2023 marked the second-highest total of mass shootings, with 656 incidents recorded by the GVA. Although this figure was higher than the 647 in 2022, it fell short of the record-breaking 690 mass shootings reported in 2021.
The GVA noted an overall decrease in deaths and injuries from gun violence in 2023, with some cities experiencing a reduction of more than 20%. Despite this, over 650 mass shootings occurred nationwide, with at least 20 occurring over the Memorial Day weekend and seven more over the July 4th weekend.
In Florida, the year began with a violent January, during which seven mass shooting incidents took place. However, as the year progressed, the surge in mass shootings in other states led to Florida accounting for approximately 12% of all mass shootings nationwide. A shooting incident in Gainesville on December 30, which left four people injured, marked the final mass shooting of the year in Florida.
The definition of a mass shooting, as per the GVA and the Congressional Research Service, considers an incident to be a mass shooting if it involves the shooting of four or more individuals, excluding the shooter. The organization’s data collection process involves sourcing information from law enforcement, government, and media sources, leading to varying numbers compared to other sources like the FBI and CDC. The GVA’s data also does not include mass shootings committed by foreign terrorists and differentiates between private and public incidents.
Overall, in 2023, gun violence claimed the lives of 42,926 individuals in the United States. Of this total, 18,836 cases were classified as homicide, murder, or defensive gun use (DGU), while 24,090 individuals died by suicide. Additionally, 297 children lost their lives due to gun violence, with 642 more sustaining injuries. Furthermore, 50 law enforcement officers were killed, and 1,442 individuals were killed in law enforcement-related incidents.
In terms of mass shootings across the US, Texas recorded the highest number of incidents with 65, followed by Illinois with 51, and California with 50. Florida ranked eighth, with 30 mass shootings reported throughout the year. Finally, in 2022, Florida had 31 recorded mass shootings, with incidents such as those in Miami, Winter Haven, and Fort Lauderdale among those listed by the GVA.