Worst terrorist strikes in the United States

compiled by Wm. Robert Johnston
last updated 17 August 2019


Deadliest terrorist strikes in the United States

datelocationfatalitiesinjuriessummary
11 Sep 2001New York City, New York; Arlington, Virginia; Somerset County, Pennsylvania29938900crashing of two hijacked planes into World Trade Center towers, causing fires and collapse, killing 2,759 and injuring 8,700; crashing of hijacked plane into Pentagon, killing 189 and injuring 200; crashing of hijacked plane into rural area of Pennsylvania, following attempt by passengers to regain control of aircraft, killing 45
31 Oct 1999Atlantic Ocean, Massachusetts2170intentional crash of Egypt Air flight off Nantucket Island by copilot
19 Apr 1995Oklahoma City, Oklahoma169675truck bombing of federal building, causing partial collapse
12 Jun 2016Orlando, Florida5053shooting attack at nightclub
16 Sep 1920New York City, New York38300bomb in horse-drawn wagon exploded near Morgan bank in lower Manhattan
3 Aug 2019El Paso, Texas2224shooting attack at Walmart store
1 Oct 1910Los Angeles, California2120bombing at The Los Angeles Times building
1 Nov 1958Punta Tabaio, Cuba173Cubana Airlines flight hijacked from Miami; plane crashed near Punta Tabaio, Cuba
2 Dec 2015San Bernardino, California1623shooting attack at social services center and subsequent shootout with police
5 Nov 2009Fort Hood, Texas1344shooting attack at Soldier Readiness Center at Fort Hood
2-22 Oct 2002*multiple locations in Maryland and Virginia1319 sniper attacks in 8 communities
4 May 1886Chicago, Illinois1260bomb thrown during labor rally at Haymarket Square and subsequent shooting by police
29 Dec 1975New York City, New York1175bomb explodes in locker at La Guardia Airport
27 Oct 2018Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania117shooting attack on Jewish worshippers at a synagogue
22 Jul 1916San Francisco, California1044bomb in suitcase explodes at Preparedness Day parade
24 Nov 1917Milwaukee, Wisconsin102bombing at police station
7 Jan 1973New Orleans, Louisiana913shootings by former Black Panther member
17 Jun 2015Charleston, South Carolina91shooting attack at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church
31 Oct 2017New York, City, New York812vehicular attack along bike path and into a school bus
5 Aug 2012Oak Creek, Wisconsin74shooting attack at Sikh temple
26 Feb 1993New York City, New York61040truck bombing in garage of World Trade Center
14 Dec 1993Garden City, New York619shooting on Long Island train
8 Jan 2011Tucson, Arizona613shooting attack at political event at a supermarket
7 Jul 2016Dallas, Texas610sniper attack killed 5 police officers, injured 8 police officers and two civilians at protest rally; attacker was killed by police
16 Jul 2015Chattanooga, Tennessee62shooting attacks against two military recruitment centers

* note: attacks occurred over multiple days


Worst terrorist acts in the United States using unconventional weapons

datelocationfatalitiesinjuriessummary
9 Oct 2001Washington, DC47anthrax-laced letters mailed to Washington, DC
18 Sep 2001West Palm Beach, Florida110anthrax-laced letters mailed to West Palm Beach, Florida, USA, and New York City, New York, USA
9-19 Sep 1984The Dalles, Oregon0751salmonella poisoning in restaurants by followers of Bhadwan Shree Rajneesh


Terrorist attacks producing high numbers of non-fatal injuries*

* Includes attacks resulting largest numbers of injuries apart from fatalities. Note than these figures are not as consistently defined by reporting authorities. This listing is incomplete.

datelocationfatalitiesinjuriessummary
11 Sep 2001New York City, New York; Arlington, Virginia; Somerset County, Pennsylvania29938900crashing of two hijacked planes into World Trade Center towers, causing fires and collapse, killing 2,759 and injuring 8,700; crashing of hijacked plane into Pentagon, killing 189 and injuring 200; crashing of hijacked plane into rural area of Pennsylvania, following attempt by passengers to regain control of aircraft, killing 45
26 Feb 1993New York City, New York61040truck bombing in garage of World Trade Center
9-19 Sep 1984The Dalles, Oregon0751salmonella poisoning in restaurants by followers of Bhadwan Shree Rajneesh
19 Apr 1995Oklahoma City, Oklahoma169675truck bombing of federal building, causing partial collapse
16 Sep 1920New York City, New York38300bomb in horse-drawn wagon exploded near Morgan bank in lower Manhattan
15 Apr 2013Boston, Massachusetts3264two bombings at Boston Marathon
27 Jul 1996Atlanta, Georgia2110pipe bomb exploded in park at night concert at Summer Olympic Games
16 May 1986Cokeville, Wyoming279hostage taking at elementary school and accidental explosion of terrorist bomb
29 Dec 1975New York City, New York1175bomb explodes in locker at La Guardia Airport
24 Jan 1975New York City, New York463bombing of Fraunces Tavern in Wall Street
4 May 1886Chicago, Illinois1260bomb thrown during labor rally at Haymarket Square and subsequent shooting by police


Updated from "Selected Terrorist Incidents: U.S. and Abroad," version 5

Sources:


© 2000-2018, 2019 by Wm. Robert Johnston.
Last modified 17 August 2019.
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