A powerful new study, along with stories from survivors and loved ones, is helping more Americans understand the real and lasting effects of mass shootings. Research from the University of Colorado Boulder shows that 1 in 15 U.S. adults have been present at a mass shooting, defined as an event where four or more people are shot in a public space.
This new research was released as the Boulder community marked four years since the King Soopers shooting in 2021, where 10 lives were lost.
Erika Mahoney Honors Her Father and Shares Others’ Stories
One of those victims was Kevin Mahoney, who was simply grocery shopping when he was killed. His daughter, Erika Mahoney, now dedicates her life to sharing stories of gun violence and honoring the memory of her father.
Erika was a journalist before the tragedy, and today she uses storytelling to spotlight the unseen emotional toll of mass shootings.
“The news covers it in the beginning, but the hardest part is the years after,” she said. “When you’re crying in the corner, or you can’t go grocery shopping, or it’s Father’s Day and you’re missing your dad.”
Inside her home, Erika flips through family albums, showing photos of her father and moments they shared. These images serve as a reminder of the love and loss behind every headline.
New Podcast ‘Senseless’ To Share Stories of Gun Violence Survivors
To give others a voice, Erika is launching a podcast this spring called “Senseless.” The show will feature stories from over a dozen people impacted by the Boulder shooting and other acts of mass violence.
“This podcast is truly a love letter to my dad,” Erika said. “And it’s about how we move forward after tragedy.”
The Numbers Behind the Impact: 1 in 15 Have Been There
David Pyrooz, a sociology professor and criminologist at CU Boulder, is one of the guests on Erika’s podcast. He recently published a study revealing that about 7% of U.S. adults—1 in 15 people—have been present at a mass shooting.
That means they were close enough to hear or see the gunfire or even see the shooter directly. Pyrooz and his team came to this conclusion after surveying 10,000 Americans in 2023.
The study also found that over 2% of U.S. adults have been physically injured during a mass shooting.
“In the U.S., mass shootings happen too often,” Pyrooz said. “We have to understand the true scope of how many people are affected.”
The Ripple Effect Is Bigger Than the Numbers Show
For Erika and others, the statistics tell part of the story—but not all of it.
“I’m not even included in that 1 in 15,” she said. “But I was traumatized. And there are so many others like me—families, friends, entire communities.”
The emotional and psychological impact of mass shootings often lasts for years, affecting people far beyond those directly in the line of fire.