Behavioral Analysis

The Behavioral Analysis Unit-1 (BAU-1) is one of four operational BAU units in the FBI’s Critical Incident Response Group.

BAU-1 provides behaviorally-based investigative and operational support to complex and time-sensitive crimes and other significant matters involving acts or threats of violence, including terrorism, threats, arson, bombings, stalking, and anticipated or active crisis situations.

Within BAU-1, the Behavioral Threat Assessment Center uses threat assessment and threat management principles to prevent terrorism and mass casualty targeted violence by assessing the threat posed by a person of concern and providing investigators with suggestions to mitigate that threat.

The FBI’s BAU-1 distinguishes between types of targeted violence by categorizing acts that involve planning and preparation separately from those that arise impulsively based on an emotional response to situational circumstances.

Targeted acts of violence, or predatory violence are often deliberate and calculated, carried out by perpetrators who carefully consider, plan and prepare their attack.

These individuals often display warning signs-observable behaviors that, if noticed and reported in time, create critical opportunities to intervene and prevent violence from occurring.

Warning behaviors may be present prior to violence occurring

Non-predatory violence, or violence that occurs as a reaction to an emotional response, can be impulsive and occur without warning.

These acts of violence often lack warning signs that provide opportunity for bystanders to recognize and report their concerns before the violence occurs.

Does not provide same breadth of observable warning sign behaviors

See Appendix IV for a list of warning signs and predatory behaviors.

Understanding the motivations behind an individual’s decision to commit an act of violence is a complex and dynamic process that goes beyond simply determining whether a person has a diagnosed mental health disorder.

Research conducted by BAU-1 on targeted violence and terrorism reveals that approximately 25% of offenders who engage in targeted violence—whether driven by ideological motives or not—have a diagnosable mental illness.

This closely aligns with the prevalence of mental illness within the general population.

For behaviors to be aware of, and/or who to contact for help, please visit www.FBI.gov/prevent.

BAU-1’s research has not established a causal link between mental illness and acts of targeted violence or terrorism.

While mental illness itself is not a direct cause of such violence, it can serve as a risk factor when vulnerabilities lead to problematic behaviors or impaired judgment.

Additionally, other psychological disorders—like personality disorders, substance use or abuse, and adjustment disorders stemming from environmental stressors—can affect an individual’s mental wellness and resilience.

The data presented in this report offers a preliminary categorization of incidents based on information available prior to the publication of this report. It is important to note that this does not represent a comprehensive analysis of the shooter’s behavior leading up to the attack.

These classifications rely on reported behaviors suggesting the perpetrator likely engaged in planning and preparation for the act, and can be revised if further information becomes available.

In 2025, 68% of all shooters (23) exhibited predatory behavior, resulting in 76% of all casualties (37 killed and 89 wounded).

The average number of casualties per incident was 5.5, which was higher than the overall average of 4.9.

Furthermore, 88% of all law enforcement casualties and 100% of all security personnel casualties occurred in incidents where shooters exhibited predatory behavior.

Wounded | 84

Killed | 33

All attackers who died by suicide in 2025 exhibited predatory behaviors. | 3

Suicide | 10

Apprehended | 8

Killed | 5