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.
Related Data Studies: Gun Death Statistics by Caliber, Accidental Shooting Statistics, and Gun Deaths in the U.S.: The Most At-Risk Demographics.
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.
Contiunue reading Stray Bullet Deaths: Accident and Injury Statistics in September 2024 on Ammo.com
