James
Alan Fox
The Lipman Family Professor of Criminology, Law and Public Policy
James Alan Fox in the Press
Criminologist says video transcripts reveal insight into Brown University shooter’s motive
Northeastern University Criminologist James Alan Fox told Boston 25 that he believes Neves Valente, despite what he said, like other mass killers, was motivated to set across a simple message.
WGBH
GBH Daily: Luxury vacancies
“When crime goes up and spikes upward, it tends to drop following that,” James Alan Fox, a criminologist at Northeastern University, told GBH’s Adam Reilly. “And when you have particularly low points, like we did last year, the tendency is to go up a little bit.”
Mass shootings are a distinctly American affliction. But progress is possible.
The scope and horror of American gun violence can create the impression of an intractable problem. But that impression runs counter to the data, according to James Alan Fox, a criminologist at Northeastern University.
Mass Killings Plummeted in 2025, Despite No New Gun Control Laws
“This is not a victory lap for gun reform—it’s a return to a more typical level,” said James Alan Fox, a research professor of criminology, law, and public policy at Northeastern who oversees the database, in an interview with Newsweek.
US mass killings are down in 2025, but experts say it’s likely just a return to more typical levels
“Sir Isaac Newton never studied crime, but he says ‘What goes up must come down,’” said James Alan Fox, a criminologist at Northeastern University.
Mass killings in U.S. fall to nearly two-decade low: database
The mass killings — defined as incidents in which four or more people are killed in a 24-hour period, not including the killer — are tracked in the database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University. Fox, who manages the database, says mass killings were down about 24% this year compared […]
US mass killings are down in 2025, but experts say it’s likely just a return to more typical levels
“Sir Isaac Newton never studied crime, but he says ‘What goes up must come down,’” said James Alan Fox, a criminologist at Northeastern University.
Viral TikToks of Virginia kidnappings and serial killer spark panic
Many people don’t feel directly threatened and are drawn in by the thrill of amateur sleuthing, says James Alan Fox, a criminologist at Northeastern University.
WHDH 7 News
Northeastern University criminologist speaks on Charlie Kirk’s accused assassin’s arrest
Northeastern University Criminologist Dr. James Fox, says political attacks are often fueled by online rhetoric. At 22-years old and a college drop-out, he says Robinson could have easily been influenced.
CBS News
Keller: “Grievance murders” can find support on social media, expert says
“Social media has certainly had an impact,” said Northeastern University criminology Professor James Alan Fox. “If someone has a grudge, a grievance, they can find other people online who will support them, who confirm their ideology.”
