Gunfire erupted early Sunday morning in Chattanooga, Tennessee, killing three and leaving at least another 14 injured, CNN reports.
Chattanooga Police Department spokesperson Jeremy Eames said officers saw several people in need of medical attention upon arriving at the scene shortly before 2:45 a.m. Police believe a number of individuals exchanged fire from a variety of firearms “in which one or more of the victims were targeted.” No one has been identified as a suspect or person of interest.
Three people were hit by vehicles trying to flee as shots rang out, while 14 victims were shot. Of the three confirmed deaths, two were from gunshot wounds and the other was the result of injuries sustained after being struck by a car.
This latest tragedy comes after another mass shooting occurred in Philadelphia just last night and left three dead and 14 wounded. More alarmingly, six teenagers were wounded, two of which were in critical condition, when large groups of juveniles exchanged fire in downtown Chattanooga one week ago. In response to the incident, Chattanooga mayor Tim Kelly pleaded for an end to the “youth getting shot.”
The issue of gun violence has come to the forefront in recent weeks following the massacre at Robb Elemenatary in Uvalde, Texas where 19 children and two adults were killed. President Joe Biden has since called on Congress to work together and reinstate a ban on high-capacity magazines and assault weapons, which are typically used in these mass shootings.
