Secret Service Analyzes Workplace Violence Trends

A new federal report identifies warning signs and prevention strategies to combat targeted violence in workplaces.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Violence

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a monolithic building facade, representing institutional safety and threat assessment. — The Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center identified key warning signs of workplace violence in a new study of 50 major cases. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you feel your workplace has adequate protocols to protect employees from potential violence?

The Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center has released an analysis of 50 workplace violence cases from the past decade. The study, which examines incidents that resulted in 119 deaths and 128 injuries, aims to guide businesses in identifying and preventing potential threats.

Why it matters

Understanding the behavioral patterns and motivations of attackers is critical for businesses looking to implement effective safety protocols. The initiative seeks to provide actionable guidance for professionals to help mitigate risks before violence occurs.

The analysis reviewed 50 incidents of workplace violence, finding that 16 of the attackers were actively employed at the sites they targeted. More than 40% of the suspects had documented histories of domestic violence.

The players

Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center

This federal entity provides research, training, and consultation services to help organizations identify and manage threats of targeted violence.

The details

The report highlights that firearms were the most common weapon used, with nearly 25% of the attacks involving more than one weapon. While 75% of attackers stopped causing harm on their own, nearly half died by suicide and 14% were killed by law enforcement.

The 2018 shooting at the Capital Gazette in Annapolis, Maryland, was among the cases reviewed.
In 2025, the Secret Service conducted 400 training sessions for 50,000 people.
The National Threat Assessment Center report is scheduled for release in October 2026.

Legal Context

This report follows a pattern set by investigations into high-profile incidents like the 2018 Capital Gazette shooting to better understand attacker behavior. It reflects a growing emphasis on behavioral threat assessment within federal law enforcement and corporate safety protocols.

Businesses may face increased pressure to adopt updated threat assessment training to mitigate workplace risks for their employees. These findings serve as a safety advisory for employers to better monitor for common warning signs of potential violence.

The takeaway

Organizations should prioritize early intervention strategies by identifying domestic violence histories and other behavioral warning signs. Implementing structured training programs can help staff recognize and report risks before they escalate into violence.