Amid a long, divided discussion over gun control in the United States, more than 7,500 people have died from gun violence in the U.S. in 2021 - a 23-percent increase from previous years.
A series of mass shootings around the US during the past weekend have left at least 11 people dead and 69 people injured.
As it is, at least 12 mass shootings occurred between Friday to Sunday in eight states – Illinois, New Jersey, Indiana, Virginia, South Carolina, Texas, Minnesota, and Ohio.
Mass shootings are incidents with four or more people killed or wounded by gunfire, excluding the suspect.
This year alone, more than 7,500 people have died from gun violence in the US, a 23-percent increase from previous years.
In Chicago, a shooting left four men injured on Sunday.
Currently, detectives are investigating the shooting but no suspects are in custody at the moment.
Meanwhile in another area in Illinois, a private event turned deadly after a physical altercation took place which resulted in another shooting incident.
Four adults were wounded in the incident, with two of them sustaining serious injuries.
In Ohio, three died and three were injured after a shooting at an Ohio bar early Sunday morning.
No details have been released about possible suspects and the motive is not yet clear.
In another incident, one died and five were injured in an Ohio park. The victims included three teenagers.
In Indiana, one died and three were injured at an apartment complex.
The shooting victims were hit by stray bullets from a feud in the parking lot between multiple shooters.
In Virginia, police reported to a shooting early Sunday morning where four people were injured.
The police have yet to find information on the shooters.
Five people were injured at a large gathering in New Jersey after multiple shots were fired.
Police are now investigating the incident and asked people to reach out if they know any information on the suspects.
In another incident in the state, two died and twelve were injured at a house party with hundreds of guests.
No arrests have been made following the incident. In Jersey City, two died and four more were injured in another shooting.
After an unauthorized concert in South Carolina, a 14-year-old was shot dead and thirteen others were wounded.
Numerous victims were found with gunshot wounds and rushed to the hospital.
A fight broke out during the concert prior to the shooting, but no information on possible suspects has been revealed.
At a sports complex in Texas, a five-year-old boy was one of the four people injured. A suspect was taken into custody and an investigation is currently ongoing.
In Minneapolis, one was killed and eight were wounded in a crowded area in Minneapolis.
A fight ensued between two people and they began shooting at each other, hitting other people in the process.
A 23-year-old was arrested in relation to the incident.
Despite the constant occurrence of mass shootings in America that kills thousands of innocent lives a year, they have yet to enact a law that restricts the use and ownership of guns.
Gun control in the country has been a controversial topic for decades, with many believing that restricting gun ownership is a violation of their freedom.
Politicians often set aside gun control laws in hopes of staying on the good side of a vast majority of voters, and it has taken a toll on ordinary citizens who end up falling victim to gun crimes around the country.
Only time can tell when a US politician is brave enough to finally put an end to these mass shootings by enacting a powerful law that at least restricts gun ownership in the country.
For now, citizens just need to be vigilant when outside their residences, especially with an increase in gun-related crimes in several states. (MO)
Tags: #UnitedStates, #massshootings, #guncontro