Police shootings in the United States in 2018 drew widespread attention from researchers, journalists, and policymakers. That year, several high-profile incidents fueled debates over use of force, training, and accountability.
Below is a detailed overview of the number of people killed by police in 2018, organized to highlight patterns, demographics, and policy implications.
| Category | 2018 Value | 2017 Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total people killed by police | 1,004 | 987 | +1.7% |
| Armed with gun | 742 | 731 | +1.5% |
| Armed with knife or other blade | 156 | 158 | -1.3% |
| Unarmed, showing no weapon | 238 | 222 | +7.2% |
| Black victims share of total | 27% | 26% | +1 pp |
2018 Police Shooting Data Sources and Methods
Data Collection Approach
Multiple independent databases track police-involved deaths, including The Washington Post and Mapping Police Violence. Each source defines and records incidents slightly differently, affecting totals and trends.
Definitions and Coverage
For 2018, most systems count on-duty law enforcement officers who fire their weapons in the line of duty and where the death is directly attributed. This includes shootings during arrests, pursuits, and self-defense situations.
Race, Age, and Demographic Patterns
Racial and Ethnic Disparities
Black individuals represented about 13% of the U.S. population but 27% of those killed by police in 2018, indicating a disproportionate rate compared to white and Hispanic groups.
Age and Weapon Type Correlation
Most victims were aged 25 to 44, and a majority encountered involved an armed suspect, though a substantial portion involved individuals who were unarmed or carrying non-threatening objects.
Policy Context and Department Variation
Use-of-Force Policies
Agencies that emphasized de-escalation, crisis intervention training, and stricter firearm discharge rules often reported lower rates of police shootings in 2018.
Civilian Oversight and Transparency
Departments with robust civilian review boards and early data release practices tended to show more consistent year-to-year trends in police-involved fatalities.
Community Impact and Public Trust
Local Reactions and Protests
High-profile cases in 2018 fueled protests and calls for reform, affecting trust in law enforcement and prompting policy discussions at city and state levels.
Long-Term Systemic Effects
Repeated incidents of fatal police encounters contributed to sustained scrutiny of policing practices and increased demand for data transparency and accountability measures.
Key Takeaways for Understanding 2018 Police Fatalities
- Databases vary slightly, but most estimate over 1,000 people were killed by police in 2018.
- A majority of these incidents involved suspects armed with firearms.
- Unarmed individuals and those holding non-lethal objects accounted for a significant portion of deaths.
- Racial disparities persisted, with Black individuals killed at a higher rate relative to their population share.
- Department policies, training, and transparency measures showed measurable differences in shooting rates.
FAQ
Reader questions
How many people were killed by police in the United States in 2018?
According to comprehensive databases compiled by outlets such as The Washington Post, 1,004 people were shot and killed by on-duty law enforcement officers in 2018.
What share of those killed were armed with a gun in 2018?
Roughly 74% of individuals killed by police in 2018 were armed with a gun, based on data that tracks the reported weapon involved in each incident.
Were unarmed Black individuals disproportionately represented among police shooting victims in 22018?
Yes, unarmed Black individuals made up a larger share of police shooting victims relative to their population percentage, highlighting persistent racial disparities in the use of lethal force.
How did police shooting totals in 2018 compare to previous years?
The 2018 total of 1,004 deaths reflected a slight increase compared to 2017, continuing a pattern of relatively high levels of police-involved fatalities over the preceding decade.