At least 5 killed in July Fourth shootings across the U.S.
The Fourth of July holiday, a time typically marked by celebrations and fireworks, was marred by a series of tragic shootings across the United States, resulting in the deaths of at least five individuals. The incidents, which occurred in various cities, underscore the persistent issue of gun violence in the country.
In Chicago, two women were killed in a home on the city’s south side. The victims, aged 42 and 22, were shot when multiple people exited two vehicles and opened fire on the residence. The attack, which also left three boys aged 8, 7, and 5 wounded, appeared to stem from a personal dispute, according to Deputy Chief Don Jerome. Shell casings from both a rifle and a handgun were found at the scene.
In Cleveland, a police officer named Jamieson Ritter was fatally shot while serving a warrant for felonious assault. The 27-year-old officer was part of a team dispatched around 1 a.m. when the suspect fled the home and allegedly fired multiple shots, striking Ritter. The incident was confirmed by Police Chief Dorothy Todd.
Yellowstone National Park also witnessed a shooting incident. Gunfire was exchanged between a person making threats and park rangers at Canyon Village, an area with a campground, lodging, and a visitor center. The ranger involved was hospitalized in stable condition, though details on how the ranger was injured were not specified.
Philadelphia saw a 19-year-old man shot in the face late Thursday night. He was pronounced dead at the hospital, while seven others, aged 14 to 23, were also shot and hospitalized in stable condition. The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation.
In Albany, New York, six people were shot during a gathering at a home early Friday morning. The victims, aged 16 to 19, suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Police found evidence of gunfire in the rear yard and street but have not made any arrests.
A 13-year-old girl named Jayda Woods-Johnson was fatally shot at a mall in a Seattle suburb. The shooting occurred after a fight broke out between two groups of teenagers, one of whom fired a handgun. Jayda, a bystander, was not involved in the altercation. A 16-year-old boy suspected of firing the gun was later taken to the police by his mother.
The Fourth of July holiday has historically been one of the deadliest times of the year in the U.S., with violence and mass shootings often increasing during the summer months. Last year, a flurry of shootings around the holiday left more than a dozen people dead and over 60 wounded. Two years ago, a mass shooting at a Fourth of July parade near Chicago resulted in seven deaths.
In Chicago alone, five people were killed and at least 33 others wounded in shootings over the holiday weekend. The first homicide was reported on Friday evening when a 43-year-old man was shot multiple times while standing on a street. Another fatal shooting occurred when a 24-year-old man was shot in the buttocks by someone in a black Dodge Charger.
Other incidents in Chicago included a teen shot in the head, a 48-year-old woman and a 15-year-old shot in the face, and multiple other victims ranging in age from 14 to 85 suffering gunshot wounds. The violence spanned various neighborhoods and involved both targeted attacks and random shootings.
Nationwide, the Gun Violence Archive reported 22 mass shootings between 5 p.m. Friday and 5 a.m. Wednesday, resulting in 20 deaths and 126 injuries. Major cities like Baltimore, Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago, and Fort Worth were among those affected.
In Baltimore, a block party turned deadly when multiple shooters opened fire, killing two people and injuring 28 others. The victims included 15 individuals aged 13 to 17. No arrests have been made, and a $28,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the assailants.
Philadelphia experienced one of the deadliest shootings when a man armed with an AR-15 style rifle and a pistol went on a rampage, killing five people, including a 15-year-old boy. The suspect, Kimbrady Carriker, was arrested and charged with multiple counts of murder and attempted murder.
In Washington D.C., a drive-by shooting wounded at least nine people early Wednesday. The shooting occurred just before 1 a.m. when someone in a dark-colored SUV began firing at residents celebrating the Fourth of July. No arrests have been made.
A Fourth of July gathering in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood resulted in one death and five injuries when a gunman opened fire on a group of people. The deceased was a 35-year-old man shot in the chest. The other victims, including a 20-year-old man in critical condition, were hospitalized with gunshot wounds.
Boston saw at least five people wounded in a shooting early Wednesday. The incident occurred in the Mattapan neighborhood, where a group of people setting off fireworks was targeted. All victims suffered non-life-threatening injuries, and three suspects were arrested.
In Shreveport, Louisiana, an annual block party turned deadly when multiple shooters opened fire, killing four people and injuring seven others. The shooting occurred just before midnight, and no arrests have been made.
Lansing, Michigan, also experienced a shooting early Wednesday, with four people suffering non-life-threatening injuries. Details about the incident remain scarce, and no arrests have been announced.
In Fort Worth, Texas, a shooting in a parking lot late Monday left three people dead and eight others injured, including a child. The shooting occurred after the annual ComoFest celebration, and no arrests have been made.
A nightclub shooting in Wichita, Kansas, resulted in eight people being shot and two trampled. The incident involved multiple patrons firing guns inside the City Nightz nightclub. One suspect, Brandon Young, was arrested, and more arrests are expected.
The extended Fourth of July weekend’s violence highlights the ongoing issue of gun violence in the U.S., with at least 26 people dead and dozens more injured nationwide. The incidents serve as a stark reminder of the need for effective measures to address this persistent problem.
Source: NBC News, The Associated Press, ABC News
