America sets horrifying 17-year record for mass killings

The deadliest six months of mass killings in the US occurred in the first six months of this year – more than any other six-month period over the last 17 years.

So far, Americans have seen 28 horrific mass killings between 1 January and 30 June, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press, USA Today and Northeastern University.

Previously, the record for a six-month period was 27 – which was set in the second half of 2022.

The database considers a mass killing an incident where four or more people are killed, not including the attacker, within a 24-hour period.

Although the mass killing does not need to include a gun to be considered one, 99 per cent of the incidents in the first half of this year did involve a firearm. Only one did not.

Initially, the database declared 2022 as the deadliest year for mass shootings, and the second-deadliest year for mass killings.

Though at the pace the US is seeing mass shootings and killings in 2023, that number could be broken this year.

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