Columbine massacre no longer among 10 deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history



See tragic scenes from the Sutherland Springs shooting. Eighteen years after the Columbine High School massacre, the mass shooting is no longer among the top 10 deadliest in modern U.S. history.

See tragic scenes from the Sutherland Springs shooting. Eighteen years after the Columbine High School massacre, the mass shooting is no longer among the top 10 deadliest in modern U.S. history. Photo: JEFFERSON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFIC, New York Times Photo: JEFFERSON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFIC, New York Times Image 1 of / 74 Caption Close Columbine massacre no longer among 10 deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history 1 / 74 Back to Gallery

Filmmaker Michael Moore recently tweeted a disturbing fact following Sunday's mass shooting in Sutherland Springs, Texas.

"As of yesterday, Columbine is no longer one of the 10 worst mass shootings in US history," Moore said. "3 of the top 5 are all in the last year & a half."

As of yesterday, Columbine is no longer one of the 10 worst mass shootings in US history. 3 of the top 5 are all in the last year & a half. — Michael Moore (@MMFlint) November 6, 2017

In 1999, two high school seniors in Columbine, Colorado killed 13 people before committing suicide. Moore directed the 2002 documentary "Bowling for Columbine" exploring the massacre and gun violence in the U.S.

POLICE: Texas church shooter sent threatening texts to mother-in-law before attack

The Columbine massacre remained among the top 10 deadliest shootings in modern U.S. history for 18 years.

The tragedy, which ignited the gun control debate in the U.S., is now one of the many mass shootings that populate a growing list.

Dr. Duwe Grant, an expert in criminology and author of the 2007 book "Mass Murder in the United States: A History," told Chron.com in October that the America had seen an unprecedented rise in mass public shootings over the last half-century.

HARD TO BELIEVE: Photo shows surreal nature of tragedy in small Texas town

"Mass public shootings have become more deadly overall," Grant said. "The mass public shooting rate (per 100 million of the U.S. population) over the last 10 years hasn't been any higher than it was during the 1980s and early 1990s, but the number of victims killed and wounded per incident has increased."

The First Baptist Church shooting in Sutherland Springs is now the fifth deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history.

See tragic photos from the Sutherland Springs shooting above.

Fernando Ramirez is a reporter for Chron.com and the Houston Chronicle. You can read more of his stories here and follow him on Twitter at @fernramirez93.