Over 180 people died in gun violence on July 4 holiday weekend
Fourth of July weekend saw a rise in gun violence, with more than 180 people killed and 516 injured in shootings across the U.S., according to data from Gun Violence Archive. In the first five days of July, there were a whopping 20 mass shootings, bringing 2021's total to 336. May saw 72 mass shootings, and June saw 76, according to the archive.
By 11:30 p.m. on Monday, the Gun Violence Archive reported 189 people killed and 516 injured in shootings over the course of a 72-hour period starting Friday. In total, there were more than 540 shootings over the holiday weekend, the organization reported. Those numbers may increase as the organization continues to collect statistics from the weekend.
News of major shootings in Chicago, Texas, Virginia and Ohio comes as many of the nation's largest cities struggle to contain a continued rise in violent crimes. Officials from across the country had spoken of serious fears of a bloody summer earlier this year.
Albany, N.Y., Mayor Kathy M. Sheehan told The Washington Post in May that her city was experiencing a rise in gun violence. At the time, she said she was "apprehensive" about the approaching summer months. Some major cities faced concerns about violent crime last summer, similar to what they do this year. In 2020, nearly 90 people were shot in Chicago over Independence Day weekend, and 17 died.
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