---
title: "Most See Aurora Shooting as an Isolated Event"
description: "Two-thirds of Americans say that shootings like the one that took place in an Aurora, Colo., movie theater in July are just the isolated acts of troubled individuals."
date: "2012-08-02"
authors:
  - name: "Russell Heimlich"
    job_title: "Former web developer"
    link: "https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/russell-heimlich/"
url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2012/08/02/most-see-aurora-shooting-as-an-isolated-event/"
---

# Most See Aurora Shooting as an Isolated Event

Relatively few Americans view the mass shooting in Aurora, Colo., last month as a sign of broader social problems.

Two-thirds (67%) say that shootings like this one are just the isolated acts of troubled individuals, according to a survey conducted July 26-29. Only about a quarter (24%) say shootings like this reflect broader problems in American society.

This is similar to the public reaction after the Tucson shooting in early 2011, which 58% thought of as the isolated act of a troubled individual and 31% connected to broader social problems. Americans were more likely to see broader problems behind the Virginia Tech shooting five years ago – at that time, 46% thought the event reflected broader societal problems. [Read More](https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2012/07/30/views-on-gun-laws-unchanged-after-aurora-shooting/)