Unprecedented Violence Raging Nationwide

Unprecedented Violence Raging Nationwide

Every week, though it seems daily any more, people involved in mass shootings are taking the lives of scores of individuals. Another sad fact is that it is not just one person at a time. So far this year, there have been 272 mass attacks.

There were an estimated 194 mass shootings in the US during this same period in 2020, and an estimated 164 mass shootings in the US in this same period in 2019. A mass shooting is generally described as four or more people shot.

There have been more than 365 deaths in 2021, with half of the year remaining.

Most recently, From Friday afternoon to Sunday, at least 10 people were killed and another 50 were injured in nine mass shootings in six states, according to data compiled by CNN and the Gun Violence Archive.

Sad to write, these devastating events know no age boundaries. An 18-month-old and 4-year-old were among the youngest victims, authorities said. This weekend's mass shootings include incidents in Georgia, Illinois, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas and Washington state.

WASHINGTON
Police found two people dead after they responded to a shooting in White Center, just south of Seattle, on Friday afternoon. Two other people were hospitalized following the shooting, according to the King County Sheriff's Office said.

One survivor was listed in critical condition at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, while the other was in serious condition Friday night. Neither a suspect nor motive have been identified in the case.

GEORGIA
A 20-year-old man was killed and seven others were wounded in a Friday night shooting in Savannah, police said.

People were standing outside a residence around 9 p.m. when a dark colored or red sedan approached when the occupants of the vehicle began shooting into the crowd before driving off. Several victims were found at the scene, while others had been taken to the hospital in a personal vehicle. The victims' ages ranged from 18 months to 33 years old.

NORTH CAROLINA
Officers on patrol heard "numerous shots fired" just before 10 p.m. Friday night, according to a press release from the Winston-Salem Police Department.

Police found four victims suffering from gunshot wounds, including a 17-year-old, the release said.
One of them was pronounced dead on the scene while the three others were taken to the hospital in serious but non-life-threatening condition.

TEXAS
One of 14 people injured in a shooting in downtown Austin, early Saturday died Sunday, Austin Police said. At a news briefing Saturday, interim Chief of Police Joseph Chacon listed two people in critical condition. One suspect is in custody; the other still at large.

Less than 12 hours earlier, five other people were shot in Dallas, including a 4-year-old girl. Police responded to a shooting around 4:45 p.m. Friday that was reported to be between two groups of people "involved in a disturbance regarding an unknown matter," according to the Dallas Police website.

The child was taken to Children's Medical Center and is in stable condition, and the four adult victims -- all women -- were taken to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries

ILLINOIS
Police were looking for two gunmen in a shooting in Chicago early Saturday that sent 10 people to the hospital. One woman has died. People were standing on a sidewalk in the city's South Side when two men approached and opened fire, police said.

OHIO
On the east side of Cleveland, three people were shot to death outside a gas station on Saturday morning. A motive has not been determined but police say it appear to be a "shootout-type situation."

Two 40-year-old men and a 36-year-old man were killed in the shooting. Three women also were shot and hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. A suspect has not been identified.

In Cincinnati, at least four people, including a 6-year-old and an 8-year-old, were wounded in a shooting Saturday. The two children are in critical condition, "with one sustaining possible life-threatening injuries." Two adults, described as men in their late teens, suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

About the Author

Ralph C. Jensen is the Publisher/Editor in chief of Security Today magazine.

Featured

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

  • Survey: 48 Percent of Worshippers Feel Less Safe Attending In-Person Services

    Almost half (48%) of those who attend religious services say they feel less safe attending in-person due to rising acts of violence at places of worship. In fact, 39% report these safety concerns have led them to change how often they attend in-person services, according to new research from Verkada conducted online by The Harris Poll among 1,123 U.S. adults who attend a religious service or event at least once a month. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols.

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.