Secret Service Examines 34 Mass Attacks In Public Places In 2019

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL — This week, the U.S. Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center released Mass Attacks in Public Spaces 2019, an annual report examining acts of targeted violence across the United States.

Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri and U.S. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Lisa Olivieri sat down to discuss how this report affects local communities. They reviewed how the sheriff's partnership with the U.S. Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center helps assist in keeping Pinellas safe, what the role of threat assessment is in the community, and the sheriff's commitment to stay ahead of the next potential tragedy.

The report examines the 34 attacks in which three or more people were injured or killed between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2019. These attacks were carried out by 37 attackers, injuring 175 people and killing 108.

“The Secret Service’s research and informed work in this space is critical as we continue to grapple with targeted acts of violence,” said U.S. Secret Service Director James M. Murray. “Research of this nature helps us to remain one step ahead of the next tragedy. Our findings assist in the implementation of prevention plans to identify, assess and intervene before a potential attacker has the motivation and opportunity to act. I commend the researchers and staff
of our National Threat Assessment Center who spearhead this important work for the nation.”

The report identified five key findings and commonalities across the 34 incidents:

• The attacks impacted a variety of locations, including businesses and workplaces, schools, houses of worship, military bases, open spaces, residential complexes and a commercial bus service.
• Most of the attackers used firearms, nearly half of which were possessed illegally.
• Many attackers had recently experienced notable stressors, such as unemployment, or struggled with substance abuse or mental health symptoms.
• Attackers often had a history of prior criminal charges or arrests, including domestic violence incidents.
• Most of the attackers exhibited behavior that elicited concern in others. In many cases, those concerned feared for the safety of themselves or others.

“We must all invest in our collective security as we strive for a safer tomorrow. The National Threat Assessment Center remains ready and willing to support implementation of our recommendations, tailored to the needs of any given community,” said NTAC Chief Dr. Lina Alathari. “I encourage any person, community leader, business owner, school official or simply a concerned neighbor to review this research.”

Since the 1990s, the Secret Service NTAC has been conducting research, training, consultation and information sharing on threat assessment and the prevention of targeted violence. NTAC has studied attacks directed at government agencies and officials, workplaces, and schools, colleges, and universities.

This systematic approach identifies individuals who may be exhibiting threatening or concerning behavior and assessing the risk posed by the individual using a continuous academic research-based approach to studying indicators of acts of violence.

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