Ohio experiences rise in road rage shootings
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The number of road rage shootings in Ohio each year has more than tripled over the past decade.
Threat level: The numbers mirror a nationwide surge in gun violence stemming from traffic disputes, per an analysis of Gun Violence Archive (GVA) data by gun violence newsroom The Trace.
By the numbers: Ohio experienced five road rage shooting incidents in 2014, according to the data.
- In 2023, the number had risen to 17.
Zoom in: A shooting last year on I-270 in Columbus injured a 25-year-old man and 1-year-old child.
- A shooting on I-670 in November killed the owner of a cigar shop in German Village.
- Police have made arrests in both cases, per media reports.
Stunning national stat: "The number of road rage shootings tracked by GVA increased by an average of 23% each year over the past decade," The Trace reports.
Caveat: The GVA is a private non-profit that produces a range of gun violence estimates based on police reports, government data, news stories and more.
- Some incidents go unreported, so not every relevant episode is captured.
Between the lines: As the number of guns in circulation continues growing and many states relax their gun control laws, it's possible that road rage incidents that otherwise would've been an exchange of middle fingers, colorful language or fists instead turn into shootouts.