Transgender shooters

A disturbing rise in trans violence

A chilling series of mass shootings in the United States has drawn attention to an unsettling phenomenon of an increase in perpetrators who identify as transgender, non-binary, or genderfluid. While these incidents remain a small fraction of the nation’s gun violence epidemic, their high-profile nature and the involvement of individuals with non-traditional gender identities have sparked heated debate and alarm.

The growing visibility of transgender individuals in these violent acts raises questions about the influence of gender ideology, mental health instability, or societal pressures. Below, we examine nine cases that have fueled this controversy, casting a shadow over the transgender community and intensifying calls for scrutiny.

In May 2019, 18-year-old Devon Erickson, alongside transgender co-conspirator Alec McKinney, stormed STEM School Highlands Ranch in Colorado, killing one student and injuring eight. Erickson, sentenced to life without parole in 2021, does not identify as transgender, but his partnership with McKinney, a trans, has been cited as evidence of a troubling dynamic. The pair, reportedly fueled by drugs and personal grievances, stole weapons to carry out their attack, raising concerns about the influence of unstable peers within radicalised circles.

Maya “Alec” McKinney

Alec McKinney, a 16-year-old transgender, was a key figure in the 2019 STEM School Highlands Ranch shooting. Sentenced to life plus 38 years, McKinney admitted the attack was motivated by revenge against peers who bullied him for his gender identity. His documented mental health struggles, including homicidal thoughts and refusal of medication, have been pointed to as warning signs of how gender dysphoria, left unchecked, can spiral into violence. Critics argue McKinney’s case highlights a dangerous intersection of identity issues and untreated mental instability.

On September 20, 2018, 26-year-old Snochia Moseley, a transgender man, opened fire at a Rite Aid warehouse in Aberdeen, Maryland, killing three and injuring three before committing suicide. Moseley, who had recently begun hormone therapy, reportedly battled bipolar disorder and depression, exacerbated by rejection after coming out as gay and later transgender. Some commentators suggest that Moseley’s transition and emotional turmoil may have contributed to her deadly outburst, pointing to hormone therapy as a potential destabilising factor.

Audrey Hale, a 28-year-old transgender, carried out a horrific attack on March 27, 2023, at The Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee, killing six, including three children. Armed with two assault rifles, Hale was killed by police. Her writings revealed deep resentment toward the school and struggles with gender dysphoria, including references to an “imaginary penis” and a belief that “changing one’s gender is possible.” Critics have seized on Hale’s case, arguing that gender-affirming care and trans ideology may foster volatile mental states, potentially contributing to violent acts.

On January 4, 2024, 17-year-old Dylan Butler killed one student and injured seven at Perry High School in Iowa before taking his own life. While authorities have not confirmed Butler’s gender identity, his social media posts featuring Pride flags and pro-LGBTQ+ messaging led to speculation that he was transgender or genderfluid. Right-wing commentators, including Donald Trump Jr., pointed to Butler as part of a supposed wave of transgender shooters, arguing that his case reflects a radicalised mindset tied to gender ideology. The lack of official confirmation has done little to quell the controversy.

In July 2023, 40-year-old Kimbrady Carriker killed five people in a Philadelphia shooting spree.

On August 27, 2025, 23-year-old Robin Westman, a transgender bloke who changed his name from Robert in 2020, killed two children and injured 17 at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis before dying by suicide. Westman’s social media videos revealed an obsession with guns, violence, and school shooters, alongside regret over his transition, writing, “I am tired of being trans.” Firearms marked with slogans referencing political figures and religion were recovered, prompting speculation about ideological motivations. X users have pointed to Westman’s case as evidence of mental instability tied to gender dysphoria, intensifying calls for restricting firearm access for transgender individuals.

On November 19, 2022, 22-year-old Anderson Lee Aldrich killed five and injured 19 at Club Q, an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs. Aldrich’s lawyers claimed he identified as non-binary, using they/them pronouns, but his history of anti-LGBTQ+ remarks and use of he/him pronouns in court raised doubts. Some argue the non-binary claim was a legal tactic to avoid hate crime charges. Critics nonetheless point to Aldrich’s case as part of a disturbing trend, suggesting that gender confusion may amplify violent tendencies in unstable individuals.

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These cases, have ignited fierce debate about the role of transgender identity in mass shootings. According to the Gun Violence Archive, mass shootings by transgender individuals account for less than 0.11% of incidents over the past decade, yet their prominence in public discourse has amplified perceptions of a crisis.

Gender dysphoria, hormone therapy, or societal pressures around transitioning may exacerbate mental health issues, potentially leading to violent outbursts in extreme cases. For instance, a 2018 study in The Journal of Sexual Medicine suggested testosterone therapy could increase aggression in trans men, though evidence remains inconclusive.

Right-wing commentators, such as Benny Johnson, have claimed a “pattern” of transgender shooters, pointing to these incidents as evidence of radicalisation within the trans movement. They argue that the combination of mental health challenges, access to firearms, and ideological echo chambers may be creating a new breed of violent actors.

As New Zealand reflects on its own strict gun laws post-Christchurch, the U.S. faces mounting pressure to address this apparent rise in transgender shooters, with some calling for tighter restrictions on firearm access for those with documented mental health or identity-related struggles. The debate remains fraught, but the growing number of cases demands urgent attention.

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