America seems to be plagued by mass shootings that happen more frequently than they should. This is due to two reasons: first, the easy availability of high-powered firearms, and second, the existence of a mentally unbalanced population.
This time the place is Pittsburgh, and the number of injured is around six. This incident comes just a few months after the mass shooting in Kentucky that resulted in two dead and nine injured. It also happens to be one week before the anniversary of the Las Vegas shooting, where 58 people were killed, and hundreds more were wounded at a country music festival.
This latest mass shooting is certain to increase calls for much stricter gun control laws in the United States. However, it is unlikely that anything will change anytime soon, as there is too much political division on this issue.
When the incident took place near the church, there was a funeral ceremony taking place. The police officials have confirmed that out of six people, one has been confirmed as stable and is undergoing treatment in the nearby hospital.
Police say two people were accused of being involved in the shooting Friday night. Authorities did not identify who these people were, nor did they explain how they were related to the shooting.
At present, the agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms Explosives, and Tobacco are assisting the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police with the incident.
Also, police were notified about two ShotSpotter activations around the 1 p.m. mark on Friday, with the first activation indicating five shots fired and the second activation indicating 15 rounds fired.
When police officers arrived at the crime spot, it was specified that the shooting was coming from outside of a church and not inside as they had originally thought. It is believed that some people attending a funeral at this church were shot by the shooter.
In a press conference held on Friday, Pittsburgh Police Commander Richard Ford said, “there might be involvement of more shooters in the incident and the investigation of video and crime scene is going on.”
The pastor of the church, Rev. Brenda Gregg, told CNN that in her thirty years of experience she has never seen anything like this and the shooting was one of the most devastating moments of her life.
She also explained that they were already facing a very difficult time attending the funeral of a young boy. They were gathered to console his parents and give them the strength to face the unfortunate event that happened in their lives, and this happens at the very exact moment.
Moreover, Mayor Gainey has also stated that this was an unfortunate and unimaginable act that has indeed put law and order under questioning. But she has assured that justice will prevail and has requested people to be together, available for each other in these hard times.
