Two Killed and Five Injured in Richmond Shooting
Last night, during a graduation ceremony near a high school in Richmond, Virginia, two people were killed and at least five others were injured in a shooting, according to police officials cited by American news site Axios. The official, Rick Edwards, has reported that a 19-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the shooting and is facing charges of second-degree murder.
Details of the Shooting
The two victims were aged 18 and 36, but their identities have not yet been revealed. The motive for the shooting is currently unknown, and authorities are continuing to investigate the incident. Edwards has promised that justice will be served for the victims.
Rising Numbers of Mass Shootings
The shooting in Richmond is just one of over 130 mass shootings that have taken place in the US in the first half of this year alone. The Archives of Gun Violence, a non-profit research database, has revealed that the number of mass shootings in the US has skyrocketed in recent years, with over 600 taking place in the past three years – on average, twice a day.
Defining Mass Shootings
The US does not have a single definition of a mass shooting, which can make it difficult to track and monitor such incidents. However, it is generally accepted that a mass shooting involves four or more people being shot in a single incident.