How Loss Prevention Can Respond to Rising Gun Violence in Retail & Restaurants

Gun violence in retail and restaurants is a growing concern for loss prevention (LP) and security professionals. Between 2016 and 2019, the United States averaged 371 mass shootings per year; however, this number rose to 650 annually between 2020 and 2023. Retail and restaurant locations are some of the most common targets. According to the National Retail Federation, nearly two-thirds of retailers have identified active assailant events as a growing concern.  

Heartbreaking incidents like the 2019 mass shooting at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, which claimed 23 lives, and the 2022 Chesapeake, Virginia Walmart shooting, where six employees were killed, highlight the profound responsibility retail leaders feel to safeguard their shoppers and team members. These tragedies not only devastate communities but also lead to significant legal repercussions, such as the $50 million lawsuit filed against Walmart after the Chesapeake shooting and lawsuits alleging inadequate security measures following the El Paso attack, further emphasizing the need for robust safety protocols. 

In this article, we’ll explore the latest retail gun violence statistics, its impact on businesses, and key loss prevention strategies to help retailers, restaurants, and grocery stores protect their people and operations. 

The Rise of Gun Violence in Retail & Restaurants 

A mass public shooting is defined by the U.S. Congress as a single incident where four or more victims are murdered with firearms, not including the shooter, in a public location, unconnected to underlying criminal activity or any personal connection or argument. While retailers have endured them for the past 50 years or so, according to the Violence Project, more than half of them have occurred in the last 15 years.  

Retail locations such as shopping malls are common targets due to their high foot traffic, making them the most common setting, followed by restaurants and bars. FBI data from 2023 indicates that nearly half of active shooter incidents took place in open spaces, with 28% occurring in places of commerce, including retail stores and shopping malls. 

Recent studies, including the 2024 Gun Violence Report by ZeroEyes and a new INFORMS study on mass shootings in retail, reveal alarming trends about how these incidents impact businesses, employees, and customers. 

Gun Violence in 2024: What the Data Shows  

The recently released ZeroEyes 2024 Gun Violence Report (which covers all forms of gun violence, not just mass shootings) paints a sobering picture for those in retail and restaurant security. According to the report, retail environments bore the brunt of gun violence incidents, recording a staggering 1,459 incidents with 511 fatalities and 1,024 injuries—the highest across all sectors. Perhaps most concerning for loss prevention professionals is that 69% of suspects fled or escaped after retail incidents, with only 14% apprehended. Restaurants faced similar challenges with 730 incidents resulting in 292 fatalities and 714 injuries, while the hospitality sector experienced 248 incidents with 131 fatalities and 230 injuries. 

The report also found that: 

• The average incident occurs around 12:55pm, when many locations experience peak customer volume. 

• Texas is the state with the most total incidents (456), while September was the peak month (728 incidents). 

• Outdoor locations were the most frequently affected, with 3,235 incidents reported (compared to 1,757 indoors).    

• Gun violence incidents in parking lots have become a significant concern, with 1,848 incidents reported in 2024 in these high-risk, often under-monitored areas. Of those, 1,782 were active, highlighting the pressing need for real-time security measures in parking lot environments.  

How Gun Violence Impacts Retail & Restaurant Businesses 

Beyond the immediate tragedy, gun violence has long-term effects on retail and restaurant operations, including: 

• Declining foot traffic: Consumers may avoid stores in high-crime areas. 

• Employee turnover & hiring challenges: Retail and restaurant workers fear for their safety. 

• Financial losses: Sales decline, insurance costs rise, and businesses may face lawsuits. 

• Reputation damage: Negative publicity can hurt a brand’s image for years. 

A February 2025 study, “Mass Shootings and Their Impact in Retail,” analyzed not only the growth of mass shootings but their staggering economic consequences on retailers. Analyzing 486 mass shooting incidents at or near retail locations between January 2022 and June 2023, researchers found that affected stores suffered an 18.7% decrease in revenue, resulting from both fewer transactions (down 12.9%) and smaller order sizes (down 4.8%).  

Even more concerning for retail executives and security professionals is the geographic spread of these impacts. Businesses within a 1.25-mile radius experienced negative effects, with those closest to incidents seeing revenue declines of 24.6%, while those at the periphery still faced an 8.7% decrease. The ultimate toll on some businesses is permanent closure, with 16.7% of affected stores shutting down completely following an incident. The nationwide economic impact reaches an estimated $27 billion annually in lost retail revenue—effectively erasing 0.5% of the U.S. retail GDP each year.  

How Loss Prevention Teams Can Reduce the Risk of Mass Shootings 

With the high financial, reputational, operational, and most importantly potential human cost of active shooter or gun violence incidents, LP teams must take proactive action to prepare for the worst. While no strategy can eliminate the threat entirely, a proactive approach combining risk assessment, employee training, physical security enhancements, and coordinated emergency response can significantly reduce vulnerabilities. By adopting a comprehensive security posture and following the steps below that leverage both human expertise and technological solutions, retailers can create safer environments while preserving their bottom line. 

Conduct a Threat Assessment and Create a Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (WVPP)  

To create a workplace violence prevention plan, start by assembling a cross-functional team and conducting a comprehensive risk assessment to identify vulnerabilities. Retailers should assess their store layouts, emergency exits, security cameras, and customer entry points to identify vulnerabilities. Loss prevention teams can work with law enforcement and security consultants to evaluate risks. 

Develop clear violence prevention policies and procedures, establish strong incident reporting processes, and draft a compliant plan aligned with regulations like CA SB 533. Educate employees through training programs and continuously monitor and refine the plan using tools like Agilence Case Management to track incidents and analyze patterns. For more comprehensive instruction, read our detailed guide on how to create a workplace violence prevention plan.  

Develop Comprehensive Training Programs 

Employees are often the first line of defense in an emergency. To improve active shooter response in retail, LP professionals should equip all staff members—not just security personnel—with the knowledge to identify warning signs and respond appropriately. Training should include: 

• Recognition of suspicious behaviors 

• De-escalation techniques for heated customer interactions 

• Clear protocols for incident reporting 

• Tactical response plans for active shooter scenarios, including emergency lockdown procedures and evacuation plans 

Documenting and tracking completion of these training programs through Agilence Case Management and Agilence Audit Management ensures all team members maintain current certifications and understand protocols. 

Establish Multi-layered Physical Security Measures 

Physical security measures are going to vary based on store type, size, and location, which may need additional security measures.  

For most locations, consider creating concentric rings of protection that begin at property boundaries: 

• Implement strategic lighting in parking lots, where 1,848 gun-related incidents occurred in 2024. 

• Install visible security cameras with appropriate signage. 

• Redesign store layouts to maximize visibility and minimize blind spots. 

High-risk locations may require additional security measures (Agilence Analytics and Case Management can help you identify which locations are higher-risk and for which behaviors). At these locations you may want to consider implementing weapon detection systems (such as metal detectors or a video-based AI system). Hire security personnel and implement bag checks where feasible. You may also want to install panic buttons and emergency alert systems at registers if you don’t have them already.  

Regular security assessments using Agilence Audit Management can identify vulnerabilities in your physical security infrastructure before they're exploited. 

Build Community Partnerships 

Establish relationships with local law enforcement, neighboring businesses, and community organizations to create a network of communication and support: 

• Participate in local security forums. 

• Share intelligence about regional security concerns. 

• Coordinate emergency response plans with neighboring businesses. 

• Invite law enforcement to conduct walkthroughs and security assessments. 

Develop and Practice Response Protocols 

Even with preventative measures, preparedness for worst-case scenarios is essential: 

• Create clear emergency action plans with defined roles for all staff members 

• Establish communication protocols that work even if primary systems fail 

• Designate rally points and accounting procedures 

• Conduct regular drills that simulate realistic scenarios 

Use Agilence Case Management to document incidents, track responses, and identify opportunities for improvement in your protocols. 

Implement Post-Incident Recovery Plans 

The ZeroEyes report indicates 69% of suspects flee retail locations after incidents, leaving businesses to manage the aftermath. If an incident occurs, how a retailer responds in the aftermath is just as important as prevention.  

LP teams should support employees and customers with trauma resources, conduct an after-action review to improve future security protocols, and rebuild consumer confidence through transparent communication and enhanced security efforts. 

A comprehensive recovery plan should include: 

• Immediate support resources for affected employees and customers 

• Clear communication strategies for staff, customers, and media 

• Operational continuity plans 

• Procedures for tracking impacts (financial and otherwise) and improving security protocols 

By combining these strategies with powerful tools like Agilence Analytics to identify emerging patterns, Agilence Case Management to track incidents and responses, and Agilence Audit Management to regularly assess security measures, loss prevention teams can create safer environments while protecting their businesses from devastating financial and operational impacts.