Stray Bullet Deaths: Accident and Injury Statistics in September 2024

Report Highlights: A total of 34 deaths and 62 injuries from stray bullets have been reported in the United States as of September 25, 2024.

124 stray bullet or celebratory gunfire incidents made U.S. headlines in the first nine months of 2024.
As many as 32% of celebratory gunfire injuries result in death.
There were 34 known stray bullet deaths from January to September of 2024.
Law enforcement agencies track thousands of shots fired calls every year.
South America leads the world in the number of stray bullet deaths, with Brazil having the highest rate.

Report Highlights - Stray Bullet Deaths in the US

Disclaimer: Stray bullet incidents aren’t widely studied or researched. Therefore, we relied on news articles and known incidents to compile the data below. The incident rates are likely higher.

How Many People Die from Stray Bullets Each Year?

Between January 1, 2024, and September 25, 2024, 34 stray bullet deaths and 62 injuries have been reported in the United States. Stray bullet deaths, injuries, and incidents are a widespread problem but are not tracked. These incidents appear in news stories daily around the globe but are not widely investigated.

Stray bullets are defined as those that miss an intended target and continue traveling or those fired in celebratory discharges, possibly hitting an innocent bystander. Each year, fifty to one hundred people in various countries die due to stray bullets.

Furthermore, no database in the U.S. tracks the number of stray bullet incidents. We can gather information for unintentional shooting deaths, but many stray bullet deaths are recorded as homicides, while unintentional shootings often include accidental discharges.

Compared to all other shooting injuries, stray bullet deaths appear to be the rarest. However, these types of shootings aren’t widely reported and can be challenging to discern from other shooting incidents.

How Many People Die from Celebratory Gun Fire Each Year?

Between 1985 and 1992, 118 patients in California were identified as wounded by falling bullets (celebratory gunfire). Of those, 32% died.

Every year, local police departments and medical officials warn the public about the dangers of celebratory gunfire, but there are still many cases of injuries and deaths globally each year.

Celebratory gunfire typically involves falling bullets. Injuries are most often inflicted on the head or feet, and yes, they can be lethal. A .30 caliber bullet will fall at 300 fps (or 204 mph).

Seven Americans that we know of were injured by stray bullets on New Year’s Eve, 2024. (Source 7) 32% of 118 patients identified as wounded by falling bullets died between 1985 and 1992 (Source 8).

165 injuries from celebratory gunfire were identified in India and Pakistan between 2006 and 2010 - of those, 13 died. (Source 9)

St. Louis received over 2,000 911 calls for celebratory gunfire on New Year’s in 2024.

Global Statistics on Celebratory Gunfires

Source: ⁹

Disclaimer: All data in this graphic are compiled using reports of celebratory gunfire injury and death totals in various countries.

Number of Stray Bullet Incidents Each Year

There are hundreds of news stories about stray bullet incidents each year. Unfortunately, this doesn’t accurately represent all stray bullet incidents, as many may not be newsworthy or misidentified.

Stray bullet incidents don’t always result in injuries. But they often involve damage to property and worry communities.

Gunfire is more prevalent in some jurisdictions, and law enforcement agencies have implemented programs that detect gunshots and send reports to the police. Chicago’s ShotSpotter (discontinued in September of 2024), for example, logs thousands of gunshots in the city each year.

Unfortunately, these systems don’t differentiate between stray bullets and those that hit their target. Still, with thousands fired in one city each year, it’s safe to assume there are many more nationwide.

Urban vs. Rural Stray Bullet Incidents Each Year

Rural areas do not have the same number of stray bullet incidents as urban areas. However, due to reporting issues, we can’t compare the number of stray bullet incidents, injuries, or deaths per capita.

Although we don’t have exact data relating to rural and urban stray bullet deaths, the CDC Wonder Database does report all firearm-related deaths. Between 2018 and 2022, 64% of all firearm-related homicides, unintentional shootings, and unidentified deaths occurred in urban areas (250,000+ people).

17% of deaths occurred in large suburban areas (1 million+ people), and 19% occurred in small cities and rural areas. If we consider that more than 274 million Americans live in urban areas, and only 57.5 million live in rural ones, we can conclude that more bullets are flying per person in urban areas than rural ones (29/100k vs. 18/100k, respectively).

Most Common Caliber/Weapon Used

In the United States, it is likely the 9mm handgun is the most common caliber/weapon used in stray bullet incidents.

Although there is no database collecting stray bullet information, the vast majority of stray bullets tend to be linked to crime (per news reports). The ATF publishes crime gun reports each year, and 9mm handguns are consistently the most used firearm in crime activities.

How Far Can a Stray Bullet Travel?

According to experiments in the 1940s, a .30 caliber bullet fired in the air will reach 9,000 feet before falling back to the earth at 300 fps. (Source 5)

.22 caliber bullets can travel for more than a mile, while 9mm bullets can travel nearly 3 miles. (Source 6)

The distance a bullet can travel and its trajectory all vary depending on the weight, shape, caliber, environmental conditions, and so much more. Even the smallest and least powerful cartridges can harm people and property several hundred yards away.

Countries with the Highest and Lowest Rates of Stray Bullet Deaths

Stray bullet deaths aren’t a uniquely American issue. In fact, stray bullet deaths occur at much higher rates in Brazil, Mexico, Lebanon, and Iraq, per reports.

Thousands of stray bullets led to schools closing in Brazil after the police cracked down on gangs. Celebratory gunfire leads to many injuries and deaths in Iraq and Lebanon. Mexico’s drug wars often lead to stray bullet deaths and injuries.

The United Nations has done extensive research on stray bullet deaths in South America as the issue tends to be more prevalent than in other regions. Sadly, Brazil leads South America in the number of stray bullet deaths.

What Are the Chances of Getting Hit with a Stray Bullet?

Based on our analysis, Americans are 117 times more likely to die in a fire, 148 times more likely to drown, and 34 times more likely to suffocate than die from a stray bullet.

Although stray bullet incidents are likely underrepresented and misidentified, evidence supports the fact that deaths are rare compared to the number of bullets flying. Injuries related to stray bullets are much more common, and property damage is even more so.

Stray Bullet Deaths & Injuries in the U.S. January to September 2024

Stray bullet deaths often dominate headlines in various U.S. cities. Click HERE for a comprehensive list of every known stray bullet death or injury in the first nine months of 2024.

Celebratory Gunfire Deaths & Injuries in the U.S. Between January to September 2024

Although not as prevalent as stray bullet deaths and injuries, celebratory gunfire also leads to tragedies. Click HERE to see a comprehensive list of the known incidents of celebratory gunfire-related fatalities and injuries in the U.S.

Stray Bullets: What Goes Up, Must Come Down

Stray bullets end lives and terrorize communities all over the globe. Despite limited research, news articles provide valuable insight into the effects of stray bullets on individuals and communities.

Property damage and injuries are more probable than deaths as a result of careless discharges. However, the exact totals are unknown due to reporting issues and misidentification.

Comprehensive list of every known stray bullet death or injury in the first nine months of 2024:

Comprehensive list of the known incidents of celebratory gunfire-related fatalities and injuries in the U.S.:

Sources

Written by

Cassandra McBride

Stray Bullet Deaths: Accident and Injury Statistics in September 2024

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