In 2018, there have been twenty recorded mass shootings, in just the first month, as well as much more throughout modern day history. The five deadliest have taken place at everyday locations like churches, nightclubs, schools etc., with a total of 197 people killed and over 600 people injured in the 5 of the shootings. Huntington Park resident and former Huntington Park High School Spartan, Daniella Mora, was questioned on her opinion on the topic. She was asked about what her overall thoughts were on the mass shootings in the U.S and she said,
“It’s pointless, people try to prove something and take it out on others or innocent people and gain nothing from it. In the end, no side gains anything, we just lose people who we love and care about.”
She then expressed what she thought could be a solution for this problem, saying, “Therapy or counseling for people who have personal problems. Basically I think we need to just be kind so that people don’t feel the need to take these actions. Also, better gun control laws should be in place. But it sounds better to have the solution be kindness and love.” Since the 1950’s there have been a large number of mass shootings in U.S history, but here are the 5 deadliest up until this point in time.
The deadliest mass shooting of modern day history took place on October 1, 2017, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The suspect Stephen Craig Paddock (64) opened fire on concertgoers, who attended Jason Aldean’s concert, from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Resort. Paddock killed 59 people in total and injured over 500. Paddock planned to escape the hotel room but killed himself in the end. The next major mass shooting took place at the Pulse Nightclub on June 21, 2016, in Orlando, Florida. The suspect Omar Mateen (29) fired bullets inside of the gay nightclub killing 49 people and injuring around 50. The shooting was an ISIS-inspired hate crime with Mateen dying in a shootout with police that night.
The Virginia Tech University shooting was carried out by suspect Seung-hui Cho (23) on April 16, 2007, in Blacksburg, Virginia. Cho was a senior at Virginia Tech when he killed two students in their dorm and went on to murder 30 more and injuring 17. Cho killed himself after police breached the door of the building he was in. The mass shooting on December 14, 2012, took place at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut. 20-year-old Adam Lanza killed 26 people and injured 2 people. Lanza entered the school with a bulletproof vest and two handguns. Beforehand, Adam murdered his mother in their home before committing suicide inside the school.
The last mass shooting on this list was in a church in Sutherland Springs, Texas. Devin Patrick Kelley (26) was dressed in all black tactical gear and armed with an assault rifle when he entered the First Baptist church. Kelley murdered 26 people in total and injured about 20 when he fled the scene, but was later found dead inside of his vehicle from a bullet wound. These mass shootings have taken away lives and have been tragic times in the U.S. They will always be remembered in America’s heart, mind, and soul and may they never be forgotten.
Image Source- All That’s Interesting
Written By Lucas Mora, News Editor