Earlier on Friday (28th June), a Nebraska man opened an indiscriminate fire on seven people all of whom are believed to be Hispanic. The injured included four children. Police said that the accused had earlier told the victims to “go back to where they came from” and to “speak English”. He later fatally shot himself.

The Nebraska State Patrol revealed further details about the tragic event, stating that 74-year-old Billy Booth executed the attack from within his home in Crete. The incident occurred just before 7 p.m. on Friday, ending with Booth turning the gun on himself and taking his own life.

Jillian Snider, a lecturer at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York, offered insights into a possible reason behind the increasing frequency of mass shootings involving multiple victims. "One reason for so many shootings with multiple victims is the increased use of modified guns that can spray hundreds of shots," Snider explained. She added, “That’s why you’re seeing more victims that are not even involved in the initial confrontation,” highlighting the broader danger these modifications pose.

The Gun Violence Archive provided a grim statistic that underscores the severity of the situation. As of Sunday (23rd June), the total number of mass shootings in the US for the year had reached more than 240, averaging more than one mass shooting per day. This data paints a stark picture of the ongoing challenge that gun violence presents to communities across the nation.

4th of July mass shootings increased over the past 3 years, group says

Mass shootings have become increasingly common during a holiday that is typically celebrated with fireworks and barbecues. This observation comes from the Gun Violence Archive (GVA), a nonprofit organization that diligently tracks shooting incidents across the United States.

Mark Bryant, the executive director of the GVA, provided specific figures to illustrate this disturbing trend. "There were 80 total mass shootings over the past three years between July 1-7," he reported. The organization defines a "mass shooting" as an event where four or more people are killed or injured, not including the shooter.

Breaking down the numbers annually, Bryant detailed, "There were 25 mass shootings over the July 4th week in 2021, 27 during that week in 2022, and 28 in 2023." This incremental increase highlights a growing concern over public safety during national celebrations.

Specific incidents exemplify the severity of the situation. In Hayward, California, on July 4, 2023, what began as a confrontation between two groups during 4th of July festivities escalated dramatically. "Shots rang out and the shooting left six victims injured," reported the local police. Fortunately, all victims were eventually released from the hospital.

Further intensifying concerns, another tragic event occurred a day later in the nation’s capital. "A drive-by shooting in the city's Northeast quadrant left nine people injured, including two children," according to the Metropolitan Police Department.

"What happens around the fourth is you have more gatherings, you have more heat, you have more agitate, and this is the big one, and I think this is what's going to keep causing the numbers to go up, you have anger and proximity to weapons," Bryant told ABC News.

Steve Casstevens, former chief of police in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, and past president of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), echoed similar concerns in his comments to ABC News about the recurring increase in shootings during the Fourth of July celebrations. "It happens every year," he stated.

Casstevens explained the dual scenarios that typically contribute to such incidents. "On one side of it when you look at whether it's family gatherings, so that's one thing, you're mixing that heat of July 4 weekend typically, and alcohol and sometimes a gathering of people who dislike each other. And then guns come out," he noted. He also pointed out the risks associated with large public events: "The other style is the mass gatherings of parades and parties so you've got situations like the Highland Park shooting couple of years ago, you've got a mass gathering of people. So many of these mass shootings over the years, the perpetrators are looking for an opportunity for mass gatherings."

Furthermore, Casstevens highlighted the importance of vigilance and communication with law enforcement during such events. "During the large public gatherings, whether it's parades and festivals and stuff like that. It's just so easy for people to become complacent," he observed. Casstevens advised the public to be alert to unusual behavior, emphasizing, "Just be aware. When you're walking around and it's 97 degrees out and some guys walking beside you with a long leather jacket, well, that's what we call an indicator, that's abnormal."