The United States was rocked last week after 18 people were killed and 13 wounded in a mass shooting in Lewistown, Maine. But in the days after, a series of shootings broke out across the nation while many celebrated Halloween weekend.
In numerous shootings that occurred from coast to coast, at least eight people were killed and dozens more wounded.
According to the Gun Violence Archive, the nation has now been hit with at least 580 mass shootings this year — shootings in which four or more people are shot, excluding the shooter.
Eleven of the 580 shootings to occur this year happened over the weekend, the nonprofit shared.
Early on Sunday morning in Tampa, two people were shot dead and 16 others injured in a shooting outside a Halloween celebration, according to law enforcement. A 22-year-old suspect believed to be responsible for the shooting has turned himself in and been charged with second-degree murder, Tampa police shared.
“Lives lost, and others forever changed. To what end?” Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said in a statement on X. “Bad decisions made in a split second, and the proliferation of readily available guns are responsible for these almost daily incidents.”
In Indianapolis, one person was killed and nine others injured early on Sunday morning, police shared. The investigation remains ongoing in the city, CNN reported.
Moving west, at least 15 people were shot on Chicago’s west side early on Sunday morning, police shared. WLS reported that police said the event the shooting took place at was a large Halloween party.
The Chicago Police Department reported that officers saw a person “shooting into the location where a gathering was taking place.”
The suspect fled on foot but was later caught by officers and placed under arrest.
Further south, in Lake Charles, Louisiana, a weekend house party ended with half a dozen people shot. Deputies with the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office said that the firing started after a fight broke out amongst partygoers. A 17-year-old suspect was taken into custody.
“This was a party full of teenagers. Once again, we have to figure out how these weapons are getting in the hands of our kids,” Sheriff Tony Mancuso said in a statement.
In Texas, an argument at a San Antonio house party resulted in a 13-year-old losing both of her parents, according to the San Antonio Police Department, CNN reported.
Late on Saturday, officers responded to a call of shots being fired, and when they arrived, they found five people who had been shot.
Officers shared with the media outlet that a 20-year-old man pulled a gun during an argument, shooting the teen, her mother, and her father. The father pulled out a gun in response and shot back at the man.
The mother and father both died at the scene, and the daughter was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
In Texarkana, Texas, police shared in a news release that they are working to “determine exactly what happened” after a shooting broke out after a “fist fight” between two men at a party.
The shooting resulted in one man dying at the scene of the fight and a woman and another man dying at a local hospital.
Lastly, in Atalanta, a shooting near the Georgia State University campus left four people injured early on Sunday morning, according to police.
As shootings continue to rock the nation, advocates continue to call for legislative change to make the nation safer.
President Joe Biden addressed the shooting in Maine on Friday after it was reported that the suspect, Robert Card, was found dead.
“Americans should not have to live like this,” he said in the statement. “I once again call on Republicans in Congress to fulfill their obligation to keep the American people safe. Until that day comes, I will continue to do everything in my power to end this gun violence epidemic. The Lewiston community – and all Americans – deserve nothing less.”