Sentencing Guidelines » Chapter 2 c

U.S.S.G. § 2A2.1

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§2A2.1.     Assault with Intent to Commit Murder; Attempted Murder

(a)       Base Offense Level:

(1)       33, if the object of the offense would have constituted first degree murder; or

(2)       27, otherwise.

(b)      Specific Offense Characteristics

(1)       If (A) the victim sustained permanent or life-threatening bodily injury, increase by 4 levels; (B) the victim sustained serious bodily injury, increase by 2 levels; or (C) the degree of injury is between that specified in subdivisions (A) and (B), increase by 3 levels.

(2)       If the offense involved the offer or the receipt of anything of pecuniary value for undertaking the murder, increase by 4 levels.

 

Commentary

Statutory Provisions:  18 U.S.C. §§ 113(a)(1), 351(c), 1113, 1116(a), 1751(c), 1841(a)(2)(C), 1992(a)(7), 2199, 2291.  For additional statutory provision(s), see Appendix A (Statutory Index).

Application Note:

1.      Definitions.—For purposes of this guideline:

"First degree murder" means conduct that, if committed within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, would constitute first degree murder under 18 U.S.C. § 1111.

"Permanent or life-threatening bodily injury" and "serious bodily injury" have the meaning given those terms in Application Note 1 of the Commentary to §1B1.1 (Application Instructions).

Background:  This section applies to the offenses of assault with intent to commit murder and attempted murder.  An attempted manslaughter, or assault with intent to commit manslaughter, is covered under §2A2.2 (Aggravated Assault).

Historical Note:  Effective November 1, 1987.  Amended effective November 1, 1989 (amendments 83 and 84); November 1, 1990 (amendment 311); November 1, 1991 (amendment 391); November 1, 1995 (amendment 534); November 1, 2002 (amendment 637); November 1, 2004 (amendment 663); November 1, 2006 (amendment 685); November 1, 2007 (amendment 699); November 1, 2025 (amendment 836).


 

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 264 cases (85 in the last 5 years), 1989–2026 · leading case: United States v. David Casillas, 830 F.3d 403 (6th Cir. 2016).
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United States v. David Casillas, 830 F.3d 403 (6th Cir. 2016). · cites it 8× “” U.S.S.G. § 2A2.1(a) (2013). 15 Application Note 1 to § 2A2.”
United States v. Salim, 287 F. Supp. 2d 250 (S.D.N.Y. 2003). · cites it 18× “Upward Departure: U.S.S.G. § 2A2.1. I. Terrorism Enhancement — U.”
United States v. Santiago, 96 F.4th 834 (5th Cir. 2024). · cites it 9× “With that, the U.S.S.G. § 2A2.1 first-degree murder cross-reference applied through U.”
United States v. Randall Comly, 998 F.3d 340 (8th Cir. 2021). · cites it 6× “The district court also applied the base offense level under U.S.S.G. § 2A2.1, finding Comly attempted to commit first-degree murder.”
United States v. Ruben Porraz, 943 F.3d 1099 (7th Cir. 2019). · cites it 3× “1 1 Even if U.S.S.G. § 2A2.1 were the proper guideline, Porraz’s base offense level would likely remain the same.”
United States v. Vaught, 133 F. App'x 229 (6th Cir. 2005). · cites it 7× “Sentencing under USSG §2A2.1 (Attempted Murder) Vaught argues that the district court erred in sentencing him under the USSG for attempted murder.”
United States v. Ramon Gaytan, Jr., 648 F. App'x 508 (6th Cir. 2016). · cites it 3× “” U.S.S.G. § 2A2.1(a) (2013). Application Note 1 to § 2A2.”
United States v. Jon Bryant, Sr., 913 F.3d 783 (8th Cir. 2019). · cites it 4× “U.S.S.G. § 2A2.1(a)(1). After adding 4 levels for the kidnapping, the court applied a 4-level enhancement for life-threatening bodily injury, U.”
United States v. Gene Howell, 17 F.4th 673 (6th Cir. 2021). · cites it 3× “” USSG § 2A2.1, comment., n. 1. In pertinent part, that statute states: Murder is the unlawful killing of a human being with malice aforethought.”
United States v. Larico Lamar Smith, 429 F.3d 620 (6th Cir. 2005). · cites it 3× “1(c)(1), “Cross Reference,” mandated application of U.S.S.G. § 2A2.1(a)(1) in cases where a firearm had been used in commission of assault with intent to commit murder.”
United States v. Thomas C. Leahy, 169 F.3d 433 (7th Cir. 1999). · cites it 5× “For example, under U.S.S.G. § 2A2.1, the attempted murder guideline, Leahy’s initial base offense level would be either twenty-eight or twenty-two, depending on whether the object of the offense would have constituted first degree murder.”
United States v. Alexander Murillo, 526 F. App'x 192 (3rd Cir. 2013). · cites it 10× “U.S.S.G. § 2A2.1 App. Note 1 (“ ‘First degree murder’ means conduct that, if committed within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, would constitute first degree murder under 18 U.”
Show all 264 citing cases →
— U.S.S.G. §2A2.1(a) — 32 cases
United States v. David Casillas, 830 F.3d 403 (6th Cir. 2016). “” U.S.S.G. § 2A2.1(a) (2013). 15 Application Note 1 to § 2A2.”
United States v. Ramon Gaytan, Jr., 648 F. App'x 508 (6th Cir. 2016). “” U.S.S.G. § 2A2.1(a) (2013). Application Note 1 to § 2A2.”
United States v. Dean A. Lambey, 974 F.2d 1389 (4th Cir. 1992).
United States v. Michael Walker, 473 F.3d 71 (3rd Cir. 2007).
United States v. Santiago, 96 F.4th 834 (5th Cir. 2024). “With that, the U.S.S.G. § 2A2.1 first-degree murder cross-reference applied through U.”
— U.S.S.G. §2A2.1(a)(1) — 56 cases
United States v. Gene Howell, 17 F.4th 673 (6th Cir. 2021). “” USSG § 2A2.1, comment., n. 1. In pertinent part, that statute states: Murder is the unlawful killing of a human being with malice aforethought.”
United States v. Larico Lamar Smith, 429 F.3d 620 (6th Cir. 2005). “1(c)(1), “Cross Reference,” mandated application of U.S.S.G. § 2A2.1(a)(1) in cases where a firearm had been used in commission of assault with intent to commit murder.”
United States v. Randall Comly, 998 F.3d 340 (8th Cir. 2021). “The district court also applied the base offense level under U.S.S.G. § 2A2.1, finding Comly attempted to commit first-degree murder.”
United States v. Ruben Porraz, 943 F.3d 1099 (7th Cir. 2019). “1 1 Even if U.S.S.G. § 2A2.1 were the proper guideline, Porraz’s base offense level would likely remain the same.”
United States v. Randeep Mann, 701 F.3d 274 (8th Cir. 2012).
— U.S.S.G. §2A2.1(a)(2) — 35 cases
United States v. David Casillas, 830 F.3d 403 (6th Cir. 2016). “” U.S.S.G. § 2A2.1(a) (2013). 15 Application Note 1 to § 2A2.”
United States v. Joshua Grant, 15 F.4th 452 (6th Cir. 2021).
United States v. Canady, 578 F.3d 665 (7th Cir. 2009).
United States v. Santiago, 96 F.4th 834 (5th Cir. 2024). “With that, the U.S.S.G. § 2A2.1 first-degree murder cross-reference applied through U.”
United States v. Ruben Porraz, 943 F.3d 1099 (7th Cir. 2019). “1 1 Even if U.S.S.G. § 2A2.1 were the proper guideline, Porraz’s base offense level would likely remain the same.”
— U.S.S.G. §2A2.1(a)(l) — 38 cases
United States v. David Casillas, 830 F.3d 403 (6th Cir. 2016). “” U.S.S.G. § 2A2.1(a) (2013). 15 Application Note 1 to § 2A2.”
United States v. Cowan Godfrey, 863 F.3d 1088 (8th Cir. 2017).
United States v. Mock, 523 F.3d 1299 (11th Cir. 2008).
United States v. Ramon Gaytan, Jr., 648 F. App'x 508 (6th Cir. 2016). “” U.S.S.G. § 2A2.1(a) (2013). Application Note 1 to § 2A2.”
United States v. Randeep Mann, 701 F.3d 274 (8th Cir. 2012).
— U.S.S.G. §2A2.1(b) — 3 cases
United States v. Jon Bryant, Sr., 913 F.3d 783 (8th Cir. 2019). “U.S.S.G. § 2A2.1(a)(1). After adding 4 levels for the kidnapping, the court applied a 4-level enhancement for life-threatening bodily injury, U.”
United States v. Thomas C. Leahy, 169 F.3d 433 (7th Cir. 1999). “For example, under U.S.S.G. § 2A2.1, the attempted murder guideline, Leahy’s initial base offense level would be either twenty-eight or twenty-two, depending on whether the object of the offense would have constituted first degree murder.”
United States v. Melvin Jackson, 662 F. App'x 310 (5th Cir. 2016).
— U.S.S.G. §2A2.1(b)(1) — 9 cases
United States v. Robert Spinelli, 352 F.3d 48 (2d Cir. 2003).
United States v. Santiago, 96 F.4th 834 (5th Cir. 2024). “With that, the U.S.S.G. § 2A2.1 first-degree murder cross-reference applied through U.”
United States v. Gregory Lassiter, 1 F.4th 25 (D.C. Cir. 2021).
United States v. Quincy Chambers, 133 F.4th 812 (8th Cir. 2025).
United States v. James Bell (11th Cir. 2018).
— U.S.S.G. §2A2.1(b)(1)(A) — 13 cases
United States v. Jon Bryant, Sr., 913 F.3d 783 (8th Cir. 2019). “U.S.S.G. § 2A2.1(a)(1). After adding 4 levels for the kidnapping, the court applied a 4-level enhancement for life-threatening bodily injury, U.”
United States v. Larico Lamar Smith, 429 F.3d 620 (6th Cir. 2005). “1(c)(1), “Cross Reference,” mandated application of U.S.S.G. § 2A2.1(a)(1) in cases where a firearm had been used in commission of assault with intent to commit murder.”
United States v. Dominic Williams (6th Cir. 2018).
United States v. Alexander (10th Cir. 2022).
United States v. Perez (9th Cir. 2025).
— U.S.S.G. §2A2.1(b)(1)(B) — 7 cases
United States v. Austin Nichols, 76 F.4th 1046 (8th Cir. 2023).
United States v. Jackson, 351 F. Supp. 2d 108 (S.D.N.Y. 2004).
United States v. Toby Jones (7th Cir. 2017).
Northover v. United States (S.D.N.Y. 2019).
United States v. Espinal (2d Cir. 2025).
— U.S.S.G. §2A2.1(b)(2) — 5 cases
United States v. Ivory, 532 F.3d 1095 (10th Cir. 2008).
United States v. Richard Marion Dota, AKA Dickie Stevens, 33 F.3d 1179 (9th Cir. 1994).
United States v. Gerardo Castillo-Chavez, 555 F. App'x 389 (5th Cir. 2014).
United States v. Kwong, 877 F. Supp. 96 (E.D.N.Y 1995).
United States v. Winslow, 755 F. Supp. 914 (D. Idaho 1991).
— U.S.S.G. §2A2.1(b)(2)(A) — 1 case
United States v. Stanley McCall, 915 F.2d 811 (2d Cir. 1990).
— U.S.S.G. §2A2.1(b)(2)(B) — 1 case
United States v. Kwong, 877 F. Supp. 96 (E.D.N.Y 1995).
— U.S.S.G. §2A2.1(b)(3) — 2 cases
United States v. Joseph Edward Coe, 891 F.2d 405 (2d Cir. 1989).
United States v. Jeromey Clay Parker, United States of Am. v. Phillip Allen Potter, 989 F.2d 948 (8th Cir. 1993).
— U.S.S.G. §2A2.1(b)(4) — 4 cases
United States v. Jeromey Clay Parker, United States of Am. v. Phillip Allen Potter, 989 F.2d 948 (8th Cir. 1993).
United States v. Kenneth Sims, 952 F.2d 1014 (8th Cir. 1992).
United States v. Kwong, 877 F. Supp. 96 (E.D.N.Y 1995).
United States v. Kenneth Sims, 943 F.2d 812 (8th Cir. 1992).
— U.S.S.G. §2A2.1(b)(l) — 11 cases
United States v. Spinelli, 551 F.3d 159 (2d Cir. 2008).
United States v. Robert Spinelli, 352 F.3d 48 (2d Cir. 2003).
United States v. Helton, 32 F. App'x 707 (6th Cir. 2002).
United States v. Canady, 578 F.3d 665 (7th Cir. 2009).
United States v. Justina Martinez-Gonzalez, 962 F.2d 874 (9th Cir. 1992).
— U.S.S.G. §2A2.1(b)(l)(A) — 12 cases
United States v. Salim, 287 F. Supp. 2d 250 (S.D.N.Y. 2003). “Upward Departure: U.S.S.G. § 2A2.1. I. Terrorism Enhancement — U.”
United States v. David Casillas, 830 F.3d 403 (6th Cir. 2016). “” U.S.S.G. § 2A2.1(a) (2013). 15 Application Note 1 to § 2A2.”
United States v. Gerald Phillip May, Jr., 413 F.3d 841 (8th Cir. 2005).
United States v. Joe Douglas Helton, 349 F.3d 295 (6th Cir. 2003).
United States v. Louis Malpeso, AKA Bobo Robert Gallagher Joseph Amato, 115 F.3d 155 (2d Cir. 1997).
— U.S.S.G. §2A2.1(b)(l)(B) — 7 cases
United States v. Jones, 872 F.3d 483 (7th Cir. 2017).
United States v. Patrick Hinton, 31 F.3d 817 (9th Cir. 1994).
United States v. Mark Bogan & Tony F. Calhoun, 267 F.3d 614 (7th Cir. 2001).
United States v. Marques D. Rodgers, 122 F.3d 1129 (8th Cir. 1997).
United States v. Jackson, 351 F. Supp. 2d 108 (S.D.N.Y. 2004).
— U.S.S.G. §2A2.1(b)(l)(C) — 2 cases
United States v. Eric Sanchez, 527 F. App'x 488 (6th Cir. 2013).
United States v. Thomas Cornelius, Jr., 693 F. App'x 604 (9th Cir. 2017).
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