• 

Deadly gun violence in the US continued right from 2022 into 2023 as more than 130 people have been reportedly killed and over 300 have been injured by gunfire in the first days of the New Year as per the data of the non-profit organization Gun Violence Archive that tracks shooting incidents.

The data highlighted that 131 individuals, including two toddlers and 11 teenagers, have been killed inadvertently or intentionally in the United States since the beginning of the year, while 34 teenagers and three children were injured.

Furthermore, six incidences classified as mass shootings — when more than four people are injured — have occurred since the beginning of 2023.

The release of the data coincided with police reports about gunfire in the US City of Indianapolis on January 3, leaving one dead and one injured.

A police officer with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said, "Shortly before 8 o'clock tonight, Indianapolis police officers assigned to the North District received a radio dispatch call to the parking lot in the Castleton Square Mall and reported of persons shot. When the officers arrived on the scene, they located two individuals suffering from an apparent gunshot wound... Both of those individuals were transported to a local-level trauma center. One of those individuals transported was in critical condition, and the other - was in stable condition. When the individuals arrived at the hospital, the individual listed in critical condition was pronounced deceased from the wounds sustained at the scene."

He went on to say that the deceased was a young man.

The officer added that the gunshot was the result of an "altercation" between three individuals, and homicide detectives are questioning a person of interest.

The police department further said in a tweet that "the area is secure and there is no known ongoing threat," though the public and media were asked to avoid the area near the mall as the investigation is ongoing.

IMPD officers located 2 individuals with injuries consistent with gunshot wounds. The area is secure and there is no known ongoing threat. This is a developing investigation. Media staging will be by the H&R Block. https://t.co/5KKN3XQANh

— IMPD (@IMPDnews) January 4, 2023

This is happening as the US continues to struggle with violent crimes and mass shootings due to its loose gun laws and supremacist grounds for such violence.