The latest mass shootings in the US left a total of 10 people wounded in Seattle and Lansing, Michigan, late Friday and early Sunday, respectively, according to authorities.
In each of the shootings, five people were wounded, including two who were in critical condition.
There had been nearly 415 mass shootings in the US as of Sunday morning, according to the Gun Violence Archive’s website.
The non-partisan resource defines a mass shooting as one in which four or more victims are wounded or killed. And the frequency with which mass shootings have occurred in the US in recent years has inspired calls for more substantial gun control in some quarters of the country.
Seattle police responded to the shooting there about 9pm on Rainier Avenue South in the parking lot of what was formerly known as King Donuts, and a community event was occurring nearby, the city’s police chief, Adrian Diaz, said at the scene.
The five victims included two who were listed in critical condition and three who appeared to be stable. Four victims were taken to hospital, and the fifth received treatment at the scene, Diaz said.
“We know that there’s dozens and dozens of rounds that were fired,” said Diaz, who noted police were not sure of a possible motive.
Diaz added that while Seattle’s number of shootings has fluctuated annually, gun violence has been a perennial issue in the city.
“Right now, we’ve really got to get guns off the streets,” Diaz said.
Seattle’s mayor, Bruce Harrell, said it was a tragedy for gun violence to mar a community event.
“These community leaders are putting literally their lives on the line to protect their own community,” said Harrell, who thanked them as well as police investigators. “These fine officers [are] working with these fine community leaders, trying to protect their babies here, trying to protect our youth.”
In Lansing, the shooting happened about 1am on Sunday, police said.
There was reportedly a large crowd around the victims, who were between the ages of 16 and 26. Investigators said they detained several people at the scene as possible suspects while also recovering multiple guns.
The Associated Press contributed reporting
