Armed violence - Gunman kills four people in the US state of Kentucky
At a birthday party in the US state of Kentucky, a young man opened fire and killed at least four people. According to local police reports, three more people were seriously, but not critically injured.
The deceased were reportedly two men and two women. Three of the victims were 20 years old or younger. The alleged shooter - a 20-year-old - committed suicide during a pursuit with the police, it was reported. The incident occurred in the early morning hours (local time) in the city of Florence in the northern part of the state. The motives were initially unclear.
"It's very emotional," said a visibly affected police spokesperson at a press conference. He knew that such incidents occurred throughout the country. But this was the first time it had happened in Florence. "We're preparing ourselves and hoping it never happens. Unfortunately, we're now in contact with it, like many other police departments and cities in the nation."
Guns are easily accessible and widespread in the US. Regular mass shootings that claim numerous lives take place in the country - for instance, at schools, supermarkets, nightclubs, or large events. Private disputes, police encounters, conflicts between criminals and gangs also end fatally more frequently than in other countries because so many people in the US carry weapons.
According to calculations based on data from the US Health Department, approximately every eleven minutes, a person in the United States dies from gun violence.
The news of the tragedy in Florence has spread across the USA. The community is mourning the loss of four women and men, including several young individuals. The incident at the birthday party has highlighted once again the prevalence of armed violence in the country. The police are working to understand the motives behind the shooting, which is another instance of crime involving weapons in the USA. The city of Florence, previously unaffected by such incidents, is now grappling with the aftermath of this crime.
