Mass Shootings Continue To Spike In 2021 With Another Violence-Ridden Weekend
By a Biometrica staffer
There were at least 12 mass shootings that took place between Friday night, May 21, and Sunday, May 23, in the U.S., CNN reported. According to the Gun Violence Archive (GVA), the country has had 230 mass shootings in 2021. So far this year, 7,500 people have died from gun violence across the nation, the CNN report added, citing GVA numbers. In comparison, there were 417 mass shooting incidents in all of 2019, according to data from the GVA, the latest year for which its six year review extends.
A mass shooting incident is defined as one where four or more people are killed, excluding the shooter. The GVA documents every reported incident of gun violence in the United States, collecting this information from more than 7,500 law enforcement, media, government and commercial sources daily, in an effort to provide near-real time data about the results of gun violence.
Even while the debate over gun control continues, President Joe Biden has made it clear that gun violence is a focus of his administration. On April 8, he announced an initial set of measures to take on what he called “an epidemic” of gun violence. This came mere hours after a shooting in Rock Hill, South Carolina claimed six lives in another senseless act of violence and a particularly bloody March, which saw several mass shootings.
Over the weekend, there were mass shootings reported in eight states, Illinois, New Jersey, Ohio, Indiana, South Carolina, Virginia, Texas and Minnesota. Only two weeks ago, a man walked into a birthday party in Colorado Springs and killed six people and then himself. That was termed the deadliest mass shooting since March, when a gunman opened fire at a King Soopers outlet in Boulder, Colorado, killing 10, including police officer Eric Talley, who responded to the incident.
Here’s a roundup of some of the mass shootings across various states over the weekend:
Illinois
Police in Chicago, where 42 people were shot in separate unconnected incidents over the weekend, are investigating one that left four men injured on Sunday afternoon in the city’s West Side. The men were “near the outside of a residence when they heard shots and felt pain,” the CNN report said, citing the city police department. Three of the men are in good condition while the fourth was struck multiple times and is in a critical condition, the report adds. Detectives are investigating the shooting and there are no suspects in custody at the moment.
In another Illinois incident, a shooting in Park Forest early Sunday morning left four people injured, according to local media reports. Officers on foot in the downtown area heard shots fired just after 1 a.m. outside of a theater venue. The incident is thought to be connected to a private party that was held at the theater. The victims were treated by Park Forest and Matteson paramedics. None of the injuries are believed to be life-threatening, according to the police. More than one firearm is believed to have been involved in the shooting, and the investigation into it remains active and will continue.
Anyone with information on this incident is being asked to contact Park Forest police at 708-748-1309.
New Jersey
In New Jersey, a fatal mass shooting occurred over the weekend at a house party in Bridgeton that left two dead and 12 others injured. Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae identified the suspect as 36-year-old Kevin Dawkins, ABC News reported. Dawkins has been charged with unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. The shooting was not a random act, but a targeted attack, authorities have said. But no further details about a possible motive have been released as yet.
Ohio
At least three people were killed and three others injured in a shooting outside a bar in Youngstown on Sunday, police said. Gunfire was reported shortly after 2 a.m. in the Torch Club Bar & Grille area. None of the shootings occurred in the bar, but they stemmed from an incident which began there, police said, according to an AP News report. Authorities said no one is in custody but they are talking to several individuals. They declined to comment on the number of weapons used, or other details, the report added.
Indiana
One person died and four others were injured after a shooting at an apartment complex in Fort Wayne. Police responded to reports of gunshots at the Villages of Hanna around 12:40 a.m. Saturday. Authorities said there appeared to be multiple shooters. Police have not yet released a motive in the shooting, according to an AP News report. The investigation is ongoing.
South Carolina
A 14-year old was killed and 13 others were wounded at a shooting that took place at an unauthorized concert in North Charleston late on Saturday night. Officers responded to the area of Piggly Wiggly Drive and West Jimtown Drive in reference to a shooting at about 10:30 p.m. and found numerous victims with gunshot wounds. A fight is said to have broken out near the concert stage prior to the shooting. The suspects have not been identified and a motive is not known yet, police said, according to USA Today.
Virginia
The Norfolk Police Department said it got a call on Sunday, May 23 just before 3 a.m. about a shooting that happened in the 3100 block of Westminster Avenue. Officers said four adults were shot and were taken to the hospital suffering non-life-threatening injuries, a 13 News Now report said.
Police are asking anyone with information on the shooting incident to call the Norfolk Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP or click here to submit a tip online.
Texas
Four people, including a child, were injured in a shooting at a San Angelo sports complex Saturday night, according to police. The San Angelo Police Department said they responded to multiple 9-1-1 calls about shots fired at the Texas Bank Sports Complex just before 9 p.m., according to KTXS 12 ABC.
Minnesota
One suspect is in custody while another is dead after a mass shooting in downtown Minneapolis on Saturday evening, police said. All ten victims of the shooting are adults, police confirmed, according to an ABC News report. The shooting involved a dispute between two people who both pulled out guns and started shooting at each other.