The first weekend of summer saw a tragic yet familiar pattern emerge in American cities plagued by gun violence. Mass shootings in Alabama, Ohio, and Arkansas left dozens dead or wounded.
This marked the second consecutive weekend with a surge of mass shootings across the United States, leading mayors in affected areas to appeal for assistance.
In Michigan, a deputy was fatally shot while chasing a suspected stolen vehicle in what was described as an ambush. In Philadelphia, a police officer was seriously injured after stopping a car with four occupants.
In Montgomery, Alabama, law enforcement reported that hundreds of rounds were fired at a crowded party early Sunday, resulting in nine injuries. Mayor Steven Reed urged for an end to the senseless violence and appealed for help in preventing guns from falling into the wrong hands.
Jillian Snider, a lecturer at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York, attributed the high number of victims in mass shootings to the use of modified firearms capable of firing numerous shots rapidly.
Gunfire erupted on the main street of a popular restaurant and entertainment district near downtown Columbus, Ohio, resulting in ten injuries, with one individual in critical condition.
FBI data indicates a decrease in overall violent crime in the U.S. following a spike during the pandemic. However, recent shootings may suggest otherwise, according to University of Miami criminologist Alex Piquero.
Piquero noted that summertime typically brings about an increase in violence due to the absence of school, more social gatherings, and warmer weather that can escalate tensions, creating conditions for violence to occur.
Many of the shootings over the weekend took place at large gatherings. In Dayton, Ohio, a 22-year-old woman was killed and six people were injured in a drive-by shooting at a party.
Overall, several incidents over the weekend underscored the ongoing issue of gun violence in American cities, with mayors and law enforcement officials calling for urgent action to address the problem.
Seewer reported from Toledo, Ohio, and Johnson reported from Atlanta. Associated Press writer Kimberly Chandler in Montgomery, Alabama, contributed to this report.
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