At least eight people were killed and dozens wounded in a series of shootings across the U.S. on Saturday night into Sunday, during Halloween celebrations, and also on Sunday. The highest toll, four dead, was recorded in Dallas.
According to the news agency UPI, the deadliest outbreak of violence occurred in Dallas’ Deep Ellum neighborhood. Local Police Chief Daniel Comeaux said three separate shootings broke out there in the early morning hours, leaving four people dead and 15 wounded.
“Detectives and officers are still trying to determine the details of each of these incidents and whether there is any connection between them. At this time, we have no information indicating a link between them,” Comeaux said.
He added that the number of victims could rise, because more people may go to hospitals on their own. He also appealed to witnesses to hand over video and photos that could help investigators.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families after the tragic shootings that took place last night in Deep Ellum,” said Dallas City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert. She said police responded immediately and will work to bring the perpetrators to justice.
In Bloomington, Indiana, at least seven people were wounded in a shooting near the Indiana University campus. The victims include four men and three women, ages 17 to 27.
Police detained a person of interest, who was preliminarily charged with resisting officers and unlawful possession of a firearm. According to local media, the wounded are in stable condition, though three required surgery.
In Newark, Delaware, six people ages 15 to 21 were shot. The most seriously wounded, a 15-year-old, remained in critical condition. Police arrested a 16-year-old who was found with a loaded firearm.
In East Lansing, Michigan, five people were injured in two separate shootings. Police Chief Jennifer Brown said officers responded 91 times during an exceptionally busy night.
“East Lansing police officers provided lifesaving aid to shooting victims, secured crime scenes and arrested drivers operating under the influence of intoxicants,” she said.
CNN, citing local authorities, reported that in Birmingham, Alabama, two shootings took place after a football game, killing at least one person and wounding eight.
“Officers recovered several firearms at the scene and turned them over to our evidence storage facility,” said Deputy Police Spokesman De’Rell Freeman.
Birmingham Police Chief Michael Pickett described the incidents as “extremely senseless acts of violence.”
“We are seeing this not only here in Birmingham — it is happening across the country. It is crucial that we address this problem together as a community,” Pickett said.
Tragic incidents involving firearms also occurred at a Spirit Halloween store in Fairfield, California; at an overnight party near the University of Colorado in Boulder; and during an argument at a gas station in Philadelphia.
From New York, Andrzej Dobrowolski (PAP)
