Washington: Halloween celebrations in the United States were marred by a spate of shootings that left at least 24 people dead and 94 injured over the weekend, according to a later report by The New York Times.
Shooting incidents were reported in several states across the country, including California and Delaware. These occurred at locations such as near university campuses, party spots, retail areas and nightlife areas.
Initially, reports suggested at least 13 people were killed and 92 injured in the shootings, according to early reports by CNN. However, the New York Times later reported that at least 24 people were killed and 94 injured.
Shootings During Halloween Celebrations
One of the earliest fatal shootings occurred at a Spirit Halloween store in Fairfield, California. Police said that shots were fired around 8.30pm on Friday night. This killed Constance Hages (31) and left six injured. The shopping centre cancelled planned trick or treat activities for the day.
Another incident occurred in Flint, Michigan. A woman was fatally injured in a shooting at a party around midnight on Saturday. Three others, including two teenage boys, were also injured, according to WJRT.
Four people were shot in Wichita, Kansas during an after party. One man (36) was shot in the face by stray bullets from a window in his home, according to KAKE.
Police said that a fatal shooting occurred near Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. The incident happened after the annual ‘Magic City Classic’ football match between historically black universities. One person was killed and eight injured in two shootings near vendors outside the stadium shortly before 8pm on Saturday.
Birmingham mayor Randall Woodfin said that a 17-year-old boy, who was not associated with either university, was arrested. He was found with a gun with a Glock conversion switch.
Shootings Around Universities and Parties
There were two mass shootings in Delaware within just over an hour.
Around 10pm, a gunman fired shots into a party outside in Ellendale injuring nine people, according to state police. Later, a 17-year-old girl died from her injuries. Those injured were aged between 17 and 22.
Six people were shot around 11.13pm on Main Street near the University of Delaware in Newark. All six were taken to hospital.
Seven people were injured in a Halloween birthday party near Edinburg, Texas. None of those injured were in critical condition, according to the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office.
Two shootings were reported in the cities of Bloomington.
Several people were found with gunshot injuries in a residential area near Illinois Wesleyan University, according to police. One woman (19) was pronounced dead at the scene. Seven others were injured. One female was in critical condition.
Seven people aged between 17 and 27 were injured in a fatal shooting near a large crowd in the city centre, according to WISH. Police arrested someone who fled the scene with a gun. However, they have not confirmed if they fired their weapon.
Six people were shot and taken to hospital in Fayetteville, Arkansas. None of those injured were in critical condition, according to police.
Fatal Shootings in Nightlife Areas
Two people were killed and four injured in a shooting at a nightclub holding a costume party early on Sunday. Two masked men entered the club and at least one started shooting on the dance floor, according to WAPT.
Multiple shootings occurred in Dallas’ Deep Ellum nightlife area. Three separate incidents occurred within around 75 minutes of each other shortly after midnight. At least four people were killed and 15 injured, according to police.
Two people were killed and 11 injured in two shootings at Halloween parties in Jacksonville, Florida.
A 17-year-old girl was fatally shot whilst queuing for a party around 1.45am. Two others were injured. Just over two hours later, a 20-year-old man was killed and nine injured during gunfire at a house party, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
Both incidents occurred following fights.
A five-year-old girl was shot in the chest whilst playing in the back room of her home after trick-or-treating in Detroit. The child is in stable condition.
New Safety Concerns over Gun Violence
The incidents come just over two weeks after three students and a teacher were killed inside a special needs classroom at an elementary school in Oregon by a gunman.
An analysis of FBI data relating to incidents in Boston between 2005 and 2009 showed that October 31 is the third most violent day of the year – behind July 4 and January 1. James Alan Fox, a criminologist at Northeastern University said Halloween is the most dangerous day of the year for minors.
Whilst experts said that large gatherings, drinking, drugs and guns can lead to an increased chance of violence, stopping shootings in public areas such as streets, bars, car parks and private parties is a huge problem.