The Rate that Schizophrenics Commit Mass Public Shootings

Sep 4, 2025 | Mass Public Shootings, mental health

According to court opinions, competency rulings, law-enforcement releases, or mainstream reporting that cites those records, seven U.S. mass public shooters since 1998 had a documented diagnosis of schizophrenia — 0.26 cases per year. There was one other case where the family says that the murderer was a schizophrenic. More than 3.5 million Americans live with the disorder, yet only one schizophrenic has committed a mass attack since 2019. That makes the odds of such a crime less than one in 3.5 million—extremely rare. Our detailed information on mass public shooters is available here.

Mass Public shooters with documented schizophrenia diagnosis.

Michael McDermott, Dec 26, 2000 – Wakefield, MA (Edgewater Technology) — diagnosed paranoid schizophrenia.

Nathan Gale, Dec 8, 2004 – Columbus, OH (Alrosa Villa nightclub): — mother reported the Marines had diagnosed him with paranoid schizophrenia (family statement reported by AP/CBS). This case might be excluded as the diagnose was reported only by family rather than in court/medical records.

Jared Loughner, Jan 8, 2011 – Tucson, AZ (Safeway) — diagnosed schizophrenia (per prosecutors/court proceedings).

Eduardo Sencion, Sep 6, 2011 – Carson City, NV (IHOP): — diagnosed paranoid schizophrenia

One L. Goh, Apr 2, 2012 – Oakland, CA (Oikos University) — diagnosed paranoid schizophrenia; found incompetent and committed to Napa State Hospital, later tried/convicted

Esteban Santiago, Jan 6, 2017 – Fort Lauderdale, FL (Airport) — diagnosed schizophrenia in federal case filings/hearings. 

Travis Reinking, Apr 22, 2018 – Nashville, TN (Waffle House) — schizophrenia; case paused for treatment; defense and court records referenced diagnosis

Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa (Boulder, CO — March 22, 2021)

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