A cross section of kill-to-injury ratios of major mass shootings suggests that if Adam Lanza acted alone in carrying out the Sandy Hook Elementary School carnage he was among the most accurate killers in modern history, exceeding even the lethal damage meted out by Al Capone’s machine gun-wielding henchmen in the infamous St. Valentine’s Day Massacre.
Incident, # of shooters, weapon(s) used
Shot
Killed
Wounded
Kill-to-wounded ratio
SANDY HOOK (2012) 1 shooter, AR-15, .223
27
26 (96.2%)
1 (3.8%)
26:1
Aurora, CO (2012) 1 shooter, AR-15, .223
71
12 (16.9%)
59 (83%)
1:5
Tucson, AZ (2011) 1 shooter, Glock 9mm
14
6 (42.8%)
8 (57.1%)
1:1.2
N. Ill. U (2008) 1 shooter, 9mm
26
5 (20%)
21 ((80%)
1:4
Virginia Tech (2007) 1 shooter, 9mm pistol
49
32 (68%)
17 (32%)
2:1
Columbine, CO (1999) 2 shooters, 12 ga., 9mm
33
12 (36%)
21 (64%)
1:2
U. Iowa (1991) 1 shooter/.38 spec.
6
5 (83%)
1 (16%)
5:1
Stockton, CA (1989) 1 shooter AK-47
35
5 (14%)
30 (86%)
1:6
École Polytechnique/Montreal Massacre (1989) 1 shooter, Ruger Mini 14 .223
27
14 (52%)
13 (48%)
1.1:1
Cal. St. Fullerton (1976) 1 shooter .22 LR semi-auto
9
7 (78%)
2 (22%)
3.5:1
U. Texas Tower (1966) 1 shooter
48
16 (33%)
32 (67%)
1:2
St. Valentine’s Day Massacre (1929) 2 shooters, .45 submachine guns