Lauren A. Magee

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https://hdl.handle.net/1805/35563

The Hidden Consequences of Exposure to Firearm Violence

Dr. Lauren Magee's interdisciplinary research intersects the fields of public health and criminal justice and focuses on how social determinants of health, poverty, and neighborhood dynamics influence violence and other health outcomes among adolescents and young adults. Her research takes a mixed-methods approach by leveraging police and health care data linked at the individual level and through qualitative interviews with victims to identify opportunities for intervention, with specific emphasis on individuals with mental illness, substance use disorders, and those involved in firearm violence.

Firearm injuries surpassed vehicle-related accidents as the leading cause of death among children and youth in the US in 2020. Little research has focused on nonfatal firearm injuries, despite being four times more prevalent than firearm fatalities. Individuals who survive a firearm injury experience increases in adverse mental health outcomes, such as posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder, and depression disorder. Beyond the survivor, family members also suffer increased subsequent mental health needs and communities more broadly are affected. This research examines mental health outcomes among family members of firearm injury survivors and explores engagement with mental health services among survivors.

Dr. Magee's translation of research into establishing resources for the victims of gun violence and their family members is another excellent example of how IUPUI's faculty members are TRANSLATING their RESEARCH INTO PRACTICE.

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Identity, experience, and threat: Assessing key correlates of firearm ownership and related behaviors in a representative sample of five US States
(Elsevier, 2023) Semenza, Daniel C.; Magee, Lauren A.; Anestis, Michael D.; Buggs, Shani A.L.
The purpose of this study was to examine psychosocial, experiential, and demographic correlates of firearm ownership, carrying, and storage methods. We used a representative survey of 3,510 people living in five US states (Colorado, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Jersey, and Texas) conducted in 2022. Individuals provided information on past experiences with firearms, perceptions of threat and neighborhood safety, discrimination, and tolerance of uncertainty alongside demographic items. The analysis was conducted in November 2022. Past experiences with firearms and prior victimization are associated with increased firearm ownership and carrying practices. Threat sensitivity is associated with owning more guns while poorer perceptions of neighborhood safety correspond with owning fewer guns but greater risk for unsafe storage practices like storing a loaded gun in a closet or drawer. Intolerance of uncertainty is associated with owning fewer guns and lower risk for carrying outside of the home but greater risk for unsafe storage. Prior experience of discrimination is associated with risk for carrying firearms outside of the home. Demographic characteristics related to sex, rurality, military service, and political conservatism predict risky firearm-related behaviors related to firearm ownership, carrying frequency, and unsecure storage. Taken together, we find firearm ownership and risky firearm behaviors (e.g. carrying, unsafe storage) are more prominent among groups such as politically conservative males living in rural areas while also being influenced by threatening experiences, uncertainty, and perceptions of safety.
Weekend Gun Violence January 1-March 29, 2023 Indianapolis, Indiana.
(2023-03-30) Spivey, Erin; Crawford, Jara; Kaur, Amarpreet; Magee, Lauren; Grommon, Eric
BACKGROUND Gun violence in Indianapolis has been more prevalent on weekends than on weekdays thus far in 2023. OBJECTIVE Examine commonalities and trending of shooting incidents reported by the media occurring on Saturdays and Sundays in comparison to weekdays in Indianapolis. KEY FINDINGS Nearly 50% of all shootings reported by the media in 2023 thus far have occurred on Saturdays or Sundays while weekend days make up just 29% of the week. More non-fatal shootings have occurred on weekends than through the week. The rate of shootings on Saturdays and Sundays (r=33) in 2023 is more than double the rate of shootings occurring on weekdays (r=16.2). The occurrence of weekend shootings in 2023 is 25% higher than the average from 2020 through 2022. More shooting victims have walked into hospitals with gunshot wounds on the weekends than through the week and more shootings that took place during a crime in progress also occurred on weekends.
Media Reported Fatal and Non-Fatal Shootings Monthly Summary June 2023 Indianapolis, Indiana.
(2023-07-08) Spivey, Erin; Crawford, Jara; Kaur, Amarpreet; Magee, Lauren; Grommon, Eric
BACKGROUND As firearm violence continues to be a focus within media and public safety entities, the monthly trends noted will continue to direct discussions and preventative actions. OBJECTIVE Examine trending in type, time, location, and demographics of media reported fatal and non-fatal shooting incidents and victims in Indianapolis during June 2023. KEY FINDINGS Media reported shootings in June 2023 increased 25% over June 2022 and a 22% increase in the total number of victims. From May to June, a 31% increase in incidents and 36% increase in victims was noted. Non-fatal shootings made up 75% of media reported incidents in June while fatal shootings made up 25%. This is the lowest monthly percentage of fatalities reported in 2023. Based upon media reports, June 11, 2023 surpassed May 6th as the single day with the most shootings and shooting victims, with 11 victims involved in 8 incidents. Noted trends: A reported arrest was made or person of interest detained in 18% of shootings. Multiple victims were involved in 17% of shootings and 14% of victims arrived at the hospital on their own. A non-domestic dispute spurred 11% of shootings in June. The victim was targeted in 8% of incidents and the victim was attending a party in 7% of incidents.
Media Reported Fatal and Non-Fatal Shootings Monthly Summary July 2023 Indianapolis, Indiana.
(2023-08-01) Spivey, Erin; Crawford, Jara; Kaur, Amarpreet; Magee, Lauren; Grommon, Eric
BACKGROUND As firearm violence continues to be a focus within media and public safety entities, the monthly trends noted will continue to direct discussions and preventative actions. OBJECTIVE Examine trending in type, time, location, and demographics of media reported fatal and non-fatal shooting incidents and victims in Indianapolis during July 2023. KEY FINDINGS Media reported shootings in July 2023 decreased 23% over July 2022 and saw a 30% decrease in the total number of victims. From June to July, a 38% decrease in incidents and 40% decrease in victims was noted. Non-fatal shootings made up 72% of media reported incidents in July while fatal shootings made up 28%. One mass shooting occurred in July, involving 4 victims. Noted trends: In July, 24% of victims arrived at the hospital on their own. An arrest was made or person of interest detained in 16% of shootings. Multiple victims were involved in 16% of shootings. Accidental shootings made up 9% of the total. A crime, such as a robbery or burglary was in process in 9% of shootings. A non- domestic dispute spurred 9% of shootings. On Independence Day, 9% of July shootings occurred. A domestic dispute occurred in 7% of incidents. Self-inflicted injuries were reported in 4% of incidents.
Fatal and Non-Fatal Shootings Monthly Summary February 2023 Indianapolis, Indiana.
(2023-03-06) Spivey, Erin; Crawford, Jara; Kaur, Amarpreet; Magee, Lauren; Grommon, Eric
BACKGROUND As firearm violence continues to be a focus within media and public safety entities, the monthly trends noted will continue to direct discussions and preventative actions. OBJECTIVE Examine trending in type, time, location, and demographics of fatal and non-fatal shooting incidents and victims in Indianapolis during February 2023. KEY FINDINGS February 2023 saw an 84% increase in the number of shootings over February 2022 and a 93% increase in the total number of victims. From January to February, an 18% decrease in incidents and a 13% decrease in victims was noted. Non-fatal shootings made up 71% of incidents in February while fatal shootings made up 29%. While a decrease in the number of fatal shootings of juveniles occurred in February, the number of non-fatal shootings involving juveniles showed an increase. 63% of shootings occurred at a residence/apartment. Noted trends: An arrest was made in 24% of shootings. 20% of shootings involved multiple victims. 22% each of the incidents stemmed from a dispute, including a domestic dispute. In 7% of incidents, the shooting occurred during a crime in progress and in another 7%, the victim arrived at the hospital on their own.
Trends in Vehicle Fatal and Non-Fatal Shooting Victimizations, 2020 – 2022, Indianapolis, Indiana.
(2022-06-08) Van Dyke, Alexander; Kaur, Amarpreet; Crawford, Jara; Magee, Lauren; Grommon, Eric
BACKGROUND Highways, streets, and parking lots appear to be the site of increasing numbers of gunshot victims found in or around vehicles. OBJECTIVE The focus of this brief is to examine trends in vehicle and roadway gun violence victimization between January 1, 2020, and May 31, 2022. KEY FINDINGS The IGVP documented 155 total victims who suffered a gunshot wound in a vehicle between January 1, 2020, and May 31, 2022. Of these, 68 of the victims were fatalities and 87 were non-fatal shooting victims. The IGVP found vehicle and roadway victimizations generally follow macro gun violence trends of increasing during warmer months. The IGVP consistently documented victims shot while parked in residential areas, at apartment complexes, and at gas stations. The IGVP also documented several instances of vehicles with multiple passengers engaging in gun violence producing incidents with several victims. The IGVP found road rage was not delineated as a motive or incident type for the vast majority of recorded victims both fatal and non-fatal (although in many cases a motive is not known). Due to onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, victims and incidents may be underreported at certain instances within the data collection timeframe.
Fatal and Non-Fatal Shootings Monthly Summary April 2023 Indianapolis, Indiana.
(2023-05-05) Spivey, Erin; Crawford, Jara; Kaur, Amarpreet; Magee, Lauren; Grommon, Eric
BACKGROUND As firearm violence continues to be a focus within media and public safety entities, the monthly trends noted will continue to direct discussions and preventative actions. OBJECTIVE Examine trending in type, time, location, and demographics of fatal and non-fatal shooting incidents and victims in Indianapolis during April 2023. KEY FINDINGS April 2023 saw a 10% decrease in the number of shootings over April 2022 and a 23% decrease in the total number of victims. From March to April, a 9% decrease in incidents and 15% decrease in victims was noted. Non-fatal shootings made up 54% of incidents in April while fatal shootings made up 46%. A higher percentage of shootings were fatal in April than any other month in 2023. Among adults, more were fatally wounded than were non-fatally wounded. April 20, 2023 saw the largest number of shootings and victims in a single day thus far in 2023. Noted trends: An arrest was made or person of interest detained in 21% of shootings. 12% of shootings involved multiple victims. 12% of victims arrived at the hospital on their own. 12% stemmed from a dispute not domestic related. 9% of shootings occurred during a crime in progress.
Officer Involved Shootings January 1, 2022 – February 28, 2023 Marion County, Indiana.
(2023-03-01) Spivey, Erin; Crawford, Jara; Kaur, Amarpreet; Magee, Lauren; Grommon, Eric
BACKGROUND Officer-involved shootings reported upon by the media often involve subjects involved in criminal acts shortly before or at the time of the shooting. OBJECTIVE Examine instances of officer-involved shootings in and around Indianapolis, Indiana along with the media-reported trends in circumstances and suspects involved. KEY FINDINGS The number of officer-involved shootings reported in Marion County, Indiana from January 1-February 28, 2023 is 300% higher than the number reported during the same period in 2022. Numbers increased from 1 in 2022 to 4 in 2023. The state of Indiana has seen an 83% increase in officer-involved shootings versus last year (6 incidents in 2022 to 11 in 2023). (Gun Violence Archive) In 2022, 40% of officer-involved shootings resulted in a fatality in Marion County. So far in 2023, 17% of officer-involved shootings have resulted in a fatality. 100% of the suspects involved in Marion County officer-involved shootings are male with an average age of 31. None were juveniles. The suspect was in the act of a crime in 27% of officer-involved shootings. In 18% each, the officer was performing a traffic stop or in a vehicle pursuit with the suspect.
Fatal and Non-Fatal Shootings Monthly Summary March 2023 Indianapolis, Indiana.
(2023-04-03) Spivey, Erin; Crawford, Jara; Kaur, Amarpreet; Magee, Lauren; Grommon, Eric
BACKGROUND As firearm violence continues to be a focus within media and public safety entities, the monthly trends noted will continue to direct discussions and preventative actions. OBJECTIVE Examine trending in type, time, location, and demographics of fatal and non-fatal shooting incidents and victims in Indianapolis during March 2023. KEY FINDINGS March 2023 saw a 74% increase in the number of shootings over March 2022 and a 59% increase in the total number of victims. From February to March, a 2% increase in incidents and victims was noted. Non-fatal shootings made up 71% of incidents in March while fatal shootings made up 29%. Shootings, both fatal and non-fatal, involving juveniles increased in March. 36% of shootings occurred at a residence/apartment and 11% in a residential area. Noted trends: 23% of shootings involved multiple victims. An arrest was made in 19% of shootings. 11% stemmed from a domestic dispute while 9% involved a dispute not domestic related. 8% of victims arrived at the hospital on their own.
Media Reported Fatal and Non-Fatal Shootings Monthly Summary May 2023 Indianapolis, Indiana.
(2023-06-01) Spivey, Erin; Crawford, Jara; Kaur, Amarpreet; Magee, Lauren; Grommon, Eric
BACKGROUND As firearm violence continues to be a focus within media and public safety entities, the monthly trends noted will continue to direct discussions and preventative actions. OBJECTIVE Examine trending in type, time, location, and demographics of media reported fatal and non-fatal shooting incidents and victims in Indianapolis during May 2023. KEY FINDINGS May 2023 showed no change in the number of media reported shootings over May 2022 and a 3% decrease in the total number of victims. From April to May, a 26% increase in incidents and 32% increase in victims was noted. Non-fatal shootings made up 73% of media reported incidents in May while fatal shootings made up 27%. This is the lowest monthly percentage of fatalities reported in 2023. Based upon media reports, May 6, 2023 is the single day with the most shooting victims and the deadliest this year; 5 killed and 4 injured. Noted trends: A reported arrest was made or person of interest detained in 19% of shootings. 17% of shootings involved multiple victims. 15% of victims were accidentally shot. 11% of injuries were self-inflicted. 11% stemmed from a non-domestic dispute. 8% of victims arrived at the hospital on their own, according to media reports.

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