Fact check: How many school shooters were transgender in the last 5 years?

1. Summary of the results

The available analyses do not provide a direct answer to the question of how many school shooters were transgender in the last 5 years ^{[1] [2] [3]}. However, according to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been five confirmed transgender shooters in mass shootings between January 1, 2013, and September 15, 2025, which is less than 0.1% of the total mass shootings in that period ^[4]. Research also shows that the majority of mass shootings are perpetrated by men who are not transgender, and there is no evidence to suggest that transgender people are more prone to committing gun violence ^[5]. The Violence Prevention Project found that out of over 200 mass shootings in the US since 1966, only one suspect was identified as transgender, which does not support the claim of a growing link between transgender people and mass shootings ^[6].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

A key missing context in the original statement is the lack of specific data on school shooters who are transgender in the last 5 years, as most analyses provided do not address this specific timeframe or scenario ^{[1] [2] [3]}. Alternative viewpoints include considering the struggles and bullying faced by LGBTQ+ students, which can provide insight into the potential motivations or factors leading to violent behavior, but do not directly answer the question about the number of transgender school shooters ^[7]. Additionally, protests against LGBTQ inclusivity in schools and the statistics on gun violence and hate crimes involving LGBTQ+ victims highlight the broader social and violent context surrounding LGBTQ+ issues, but again, do not specifically address the question at hand ^{[8] [9]}. It is also important to consider the general trend of mass shootings being perpetrated by non-transgender individuals, as emphasized by research ^[5].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement may be misleading or biased by implying a link between being transgender and committing school shootings, which is not supported by the available data ^{[4] [5] [6]}. This framing could benefit those who seek to perpetuate negative stereotypes about transgender individuals, by creating a false narrative about their propensity for violence ^[5]. On the other hand, LGBTQ+ advocacy groups may benefit from the clarification that there is no evidence to suggest transgender people are more prone to committing gun violence, as it helps to combat discrimination and stigma ^[5]. The lack of direct information on the specific question asked may also benefit those who wish to avoid discussing the actual issues and data related to school shootings and transgender individuals, by allowing them to sidestep the conversation about the need for inclusivity, support, and accurate information ^{[1] [2] [3]}.