Indiana Mass Shooting: 3 Dead, 7 Wounded as Gunfire Erupted at July 4th Party
Three people died, and seven others were wounded as gunfire erupted during a July 4th block party in Indiana early Tuesday.
In a statement, Gary Police said officers were dispatched to the 1900 block of Missouri Street, a residential neighborhood, at around 12:46 a.m. for several people with gunshot wounds.
Upon arrival, police noted that responding officers discovered three people down and unresponsive and seven others with gunshot wounds.
According to People, the Lake County Coroner's Office named the three people killed as 26-year-old Marquise Hall from Lafayette, Indiana; 25-year-old Laurence Mangum from Merrillville, Indiana; and 20-year-old Ashanti Brown from Olympia Fields, Illinois.
Police said all three victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while the gunshot victims were transported to "area hospitals" for treatment. Gary Police said mutual aid was requested from surrounding police agencies due to the enormity of the scene.
City police Lt. Dawn Westerfield said investigators were still trying to determine the circumstances of the shooting, including whether more than one shooter was involved.
Police noted that early information suggests the gunfire erupted during what was probably a July 4th holiday block party. Authorities have yet to release any information regarding those injured.
It was also unclear if police had made any arrests or if authorities had identified any possible persons of interest. Those who have any information about this shooting are asked to contact the Metro Homicide Unit at 219-755-3855 or the Crime Tip Line at 866-CRIME-GP.
July 4th Mass Shooting Is Not Only in Indiana
According to CBS News, seeing an increase in gun violence on the July 4th weekend is not uncommon in the U.S. In 2021, Gun Violence Archive reported that more than 180 people were killed and 516 were injured in shootings that took place during the July 4th weekend.
This July 4th weekend, shootings were reported in nearly every U.S. state, and at least 220 people were killed, while 570 others were wounded.
The Gun Violence Archive's database also showed that at least 11 were classified as mass shootings, and there were only five states where one or more shootings were not reported between Friday and Monday.
The Highland Park parade shooting in Illinois was among these horrific mass shootings that killed at least seven people and wounded more than two dozen.
Authorities detained 21-year-old Robert Crimo III after he allegedly opened fire on attendees at the parade. He was charged Tuesday with seven counts of first-degree murder.
Indiana Boy Died Due to July 4th Fireworks
Meanwhile, an 11-year-old boy in Indiana died Sunday night from a firework incident over the July 4th weekend.
Indiana State Police Sgt. Todd Ringle said Posey County officers were dispatched after a 911 call at 9:42 p.m. about a serious injury. The boy, Camrynn Ray, died while being taken to an Evansville hospital, USA Today reported.
His mother, Kyrra McMichael, told the Evansville Courier & Press that her son was an honor roll student who loved playing sports and making people laugh. McMichael said Camrynn only played with fireworks, and now "he is gone."
"In the blink of an eye. Literally," she noted. Last year, nine people died due to fireworks-related injuries nationwide.
READ MORE: Texas Police Shoot, Kill Gunman at Youth Summer Camp After He Opened Fire
This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Mary Webber
WATCH: 3 Dead, 7 Wounded After Shooting at Block Party in Gary, Indiana - From CBS Chicago
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