At least one person has been killed and 28 more have been injured in Juneteenth shootings that have happened all over the country.
Chicago Juneteenth Shooting
One person is dead and 28 injured after a shooting at a Chicago-area Juneteenth event.
New mayor. Same result.pic.twitter.com/YiSePzpTK9
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) June 18, 2023
The main shooting took place in Chicago, Illinois, where one person was killed and around 28 were injured after gunfire broke out at a peaceful Juneteenth gathering in a parking lot near Honeysuckle Lane and Route 83 around 6 p.m. on Saturday.
“An unknown number of suspects fired multiple rounds from multiple weapons into the crowd,” police told The Daily Herald.
“The motive behind this incident is unclear,” added Eric Swanson, deputy chief at the sheriff’s office.. “We transported numerous victims from the scene. Others just walked into area hospitals.”
One witness told ABC 7 Chicago, “It was supposed to be like a Juneteenth celebration; we just started hearing shooting, so we dropped down until they stopped. They just kept going. After that, we literally scattered away.”
The severity of the injuries of the victims is not known at this time.
“We were all just out, and, next thing you know shots just kept going off; everybody ran, and it was chaos,” another witness stated.
President Joe Biden responded to this shooting through Karine Jean-Pierre, his press secretary.
“The President and First Lady are thinking of those killed and injured in the shooting in Illinois last night,” she tweeted. “We have reached out to offer assistance to state and local leaders in the wake of this tragedy at a community Juneteenth celebration.”
The President and First Lady are thinking of those killed and injured in the shooting in Illinois last night. We have reached out to offer assistance to state and local leaders in the wake of this tragedy at a community Juneteenth celebration.
— Karine Jean-Pierre (@PressSec) June 18, 2023
U.S. Rep. Sean Casten (D-IL) addressed this shooting as well.
“We live in a tragic reality where you cannot go to school, go to the grocery store, go to your place of worship, or celebrate holidays like the Fourth of July or Juneteenth without fear of being shot,” Casten said. “Change is needed — we cannot allow this to be the status quo.”
This is all you are going to see about it.
Mass shooting at Juneteenth celebration in Illinois Reuters 6/19 pic.twitter.com/jZkNmKbhVb
— Mariana (@lonestarherd) June 19, 2023
Related: Shooting At D.C. Juneteenth Celebration Leaves Boy Dead, Police Officer Injured
Asheville Shooting
This was not the only shooting that has happened so far around the Juneteenth holiday. In Asheville, North Carolina, a 16 year-old was arrested on charges that include two counts of felonious assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill after he opened fire at a Juneteenth celebration festival in Pack Square Park.
The Asheville Police Department said that “officers responded to reports of shots fired at a downtown festival in the area of Court Plaza around 8:51 p.m. on June 17. Patrol officers quickly arrived on the scene and found two juveniles who were victims of gunshot wounds. Both juveniles were transported to Mission Hospital with serious injuries. One has been released, and the other remains in critical but stable condition.”
“Officers were able to locate two suspects nearby and took them into custody. Detectives were able to clear one and identify the other as the principal offender,” they continued. “Officers and Forensic Technicians recovered a 9mm pistol and a host of physical evidence that littered the park.”
City of Asheville cancels Juneteenth festival
We regret to inform you that the second day of the Juneteenth Festival, Sunday, June 18, has been canceled due to ‘the normal shooting’ that occurred this evening at the conclusion of the Festival. Individuals that need to pick up… pic.twitter.com/5KUByS8nLD— The Enlightened Whistleblower ~Common Sense News (@TheEnli72119052) June 19, 2023
Related: Walmart Cancels ‘Juneteenth’ Flavored Ice Cream After Backlash
More Juneteenth Shootings
Fox8 reported that a 15 year-old boy was hospitalized after being shot at a Juneteenth celebration in Akron, Ohio over the weekend. Police have since said that the wound is not life threatening.
NBC News reported that in San Diego, California, one person was killed and another was possibly wounded at a Juneteenth event being held at a redeveloped arts, shopping and entertainment center. Gunfire broke out at 6:47 p.m. at the festival, which reportedly included music and booths.
One dead in shooting at #Juneteenth concert in #LibertyStation #SanDiego. Second person injured, suspect outstanding. 📹 @1904newssd pic.twitter.com/zBBbqRYV5r
— Sideo TV (@SideoTV) June 18, 2023
It remains to be seen how many more shootings there will be before the Juneteenth holiday comes to an end.
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