Three times the US witnessed July 4 shootings
- Multiple shots were fired during a Fourth of July parade in Highland Park
- This isn't the first time that the US has experienced gun violence during the holiday
- In 2021, at least 233 people were killed in shootings across the country
Six celebrants met a tragic end at a Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, Illinois, on Monday after an unidentified gunman opened fire in what officials called an active shooter situation. The parade, which commenced at 10 am, stopped 10 minutes after multiple shots were fired. The shooting resulted in six deaths, with hundreds of other attendees running for cover, Fox 32 reported.
The shooting is one of the many that have marred July 4 celebrations in the United States. With history repeating itself, let us take a look at some similar incidents from the past.
1. In 2021, at least 233 people were killed and 618 were wounded in more than 500 shootings across the country that occurred during the Fourth of July weekend, according to data assembled by the Gun Violence Archive. In New York, 29 shootings resulted in two fatalities and 33 injured people.
Last year’s nationwide figure is a 26% drop from the shootings reported during the Independence Day weekend of 2020.
Also Read: One month after Uvalde shooting, gun control has a bittersweet day in US
2. In 2020, at least 17 people, which included 12 minors, died in shootings across Chicago during the long Fourth of July weekend, according to NBC Chicago.
In one shooting, which took place in the 1500 block of South Millard Avenue, six people were shot as fireworks began.
In another shooting, which occurred in the 1000 block of East 132nd Street, a man shot two people, including a 24-year-old who died due to an abdominal gunshot wound.
Also Read: Copenhagen shooting suspect charged with murder of three people
3. In 2019, Chicago witnessed significant violence during July 4 celebrations. At least 68 people were shot, five of them fatally, according to CBS News.
One deadly shooting occurred near Laramie and Fulton, where two gunmen walked up to two men, shot them, and then fled the scene in a grey sedan.
Another shooting took place in the neighborhood of Fuller Park, where a shooter approached a 22-year-old woman and killed her through a headshot.
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