Six more people have been killed in another deadly day of armed violence in the United States, with two mass shootings in separate cities.
Key points:
- Police believe there were several shooters in both incidents
- The Armed Forces Archive recorded 239 mass shootings so far this year
- A mass shooting is when at least four people are shot except the shooter
The first incident took place on a busy street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where hundreds of people were enjoying a Saturday night.
Police heard several shots and witnessed several suspects firing at a large crowd shortly before midnight.
Two men and a woman were killed and 12 were injured.
A few hours later, a shooting near a Tennessee nightclub killed three people.
Fourteen people were hit by gunfire and three were hit by vehicles as they fled the chaotic scene in the town of Chattanooga.
Police believe several gunmen were also involved in the incident.
Of the three dead, two were killed by gunshot wounds and one was killed after being hit by a vehicle.
Sixteen of the victims were adults and one was young and several were still in critical condition, according to Chattanooga Police Chief Celeste Murphy.
He said police believe it was an isolated incident and authorities do not believe there is a permanent threat to public safety.
Ms Murphy said it would be a complex investigation in the future.
“We’re trying to determine exactly what happened and what made that happen,” he said.
It was the second shooting in Chattanooga last week. Six teenagers were shot dead in downtown Chattanooga last weekend.
The incidents came after recent shootings that killed 10 people at a grocery store in Buffalo, New York; 21 victims at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas; and four people in a medical building in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Gun security advocates are pushing for US government to take tougher measures to curb armed violence
There have been no arrests so far in a shooting in Philadelphia
South Street is known for its entertainment and nightlife venues with a variety of bars, restaurants and businesses. (AP: Charles Fox)
In Philadelphia, officers were patrolling the South Street area of downtown Philadelphia when they heard several gunshots and witnessed several suspects firing at a large crowd shortly before midnight.
South Street is known for its entertainment venues and nightlife with its many bars, restaurants and businesses.
Police said the whereabouts of the Philadelphia shooters were not immediately known.
Two pistols were recovered at the scene, including one with an extended magazine, authorities added.
Philadelphia police said Sunday afternoon that the shooting began after an altercation between two parties.
Police did not specify how many gunmen were involved, but said five guns were used.
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney described the shooting as “horrible, despicable and pointless.”
The dead were 22, 27 and 34 years old, while the ages of the wounded ranged from 17 to 69 years.
A post to the official police department on Twitter advised people to avoid the area.
According to the Arms Violence Archive, there have been 239 mass shootings so far this year, which are defined as a shooting in which at least four people are shot, excluding the shooter.
U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday called on Congress to ban assault weapons, expand background checks, and implement other arms control measures to deal with the series of mass shootings.
Chris Murphy, the senior U.S. Democratic senator working in bipartisan arms security talks, said Sunday that he believes a package that includes investments in mental health and school safety and some changes to gun laws could approve the Congress.
A large majority of U.S. voters, both Republicans and Democrats, favor stronger gun control laws, but Republicans in Congress and some moderate Democrats have blocked the legislation for years.
ABC / children
Posted 2 hours, 2 hours ago, Sunday, June 5, 2022 at 7:29 PM, updated 43 minutes ago, 43 minutes ago, dig. June 5, 2022 at 9:33 p.m.