Multiple Mass Shootings Over Halloween Weekend

What’s the story?

• There was a string of deadly mass shootings over the weekend in several U.S. cities, leaving at least 11 people dead and 76 injured. 
• The Gun Violence Archive reported 12 mass shootings – defined as when at least four victims are killed or injured – between Friday and Sunday, the popular pre-Halloween weekend. Many of the shootings took place at large gatherings Saturday night into early Sunday morning. Here’s what we know from the investigations into some of the events.

Texarkana, Texas

• Three people were killed, and three were injured, in a shooting at a party in Texarkana a little after 9 p.m. on Saturday. Police are searching for the suspect, 20-year-old Breoskii Warren. 
• The victims range from 19 to 31 years old.
• Texarkana Texas Police Department posted on Facebook Sunday morning:

“Apparently, this all started when a fist fight broke out between two men at at the party. At some point during this fight, at least two men there pulled out rifles and started shooting.”

Indianapolis, Indiana

• Nine people between the ages of 16 and 22 were injured, and one killed, in a shooting at a large party in northeast Indianapolis around midnight on Sunday. No arrest has been made, but multiple firearms were found at the scene, and several people were detained. 
• Police said there is no known active threat to the area.

Tampa, Flordia

• A 14-year-old and a 22-year-old were killed, and 16 people were injured in the Ybor City neighborhood in Tampa on Sunday around 3 a.m. Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said the shooting occurred from a dispute between two people. 
• One suspect was arrested and charged with second-degree murder. 
• Bercaw said five of the victims remain hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. 

Chicago, Illinois

• There were two mass shootings in Chicago this weekend. 
• One shooting left four people dead after someone fired shots at a group from a car. 
• The other shooting in North Lawndale left fifteen people injured early Sunday morning after a man opened fire at a large gathering. The suspect was taken into custody. The victims range from 26 years old to 53 years old. 

Atlanta, Georgia

• Four people were shot near the Georgia State University campus in Atlanta Sunday morning around 5 a.m. All victims were taken to the hospital, one of which is in critical condition. 
• Police have not confirmed whether or not a suspect has been taken into custody. 

Enough is enough. Tell your representatives to start saving lives and pass common-sense gun control measures now. 

-Jamie Epstein

(Photo credit: iStock/tillsonburg)