By- Victoria
Worsfold, Katie Schofield, & Troy Schisler
Country
Wide Shooting
In just the past four years the U.S.
homicide rate has almost doubled. In Chicago alone, the number of homicides out
numbers U.S. troop killings in Afghanistan. Between July and August of 2012 the
U.S. has suffered through three major shootings, including one of the largest
mass shootings in U.S. history. These three shootings consist of the Colorado
Theater, Wisconsin Temple and New York Empire State Building shootings.
On July 20, what was said to be the largest
mass shooting in U.S. history, happened in Aurora, Colorado. During the
midnight premiere of “The Dark Knight Rises,” James Holmes, an honor student at
the University of Colorado, bought a ticket with no problem. After the movie
started, he slipped out of the theater and an emergency exit that he later
propped open. He returned at 12:39 a.m. dressed in a ballistics helmet, gas
mask, gloves, and a bulletproof vest and leggings. He blinded all of his
victims with smoke bombs and started to shoot in every direction. By the end of
his attack 12 people were dead, 11 people were in critical condition and over
50 people were injured, including a three month old child. According to
Colorado Gun Control Law’s, Holmes bought four guns, and over 6,000 rounds of
ammunition, legally. Holmes was charged with 142 criminal counts, including
first degree murder, attempted murder, and explosives charges.
On August 5, the U.S. suffered through
another shooting. Wade Michael Page, a former alcoholic, killed 4 Sikh
worshippers at a temple in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As the police showed up at the
scene a gun fight started between them and Page; Page was shot in the abdomen and later
committed suicide by shooting himself in the head. The semi-automatic gun used
by Page was purchased legally according to Wisconsin Gun Control Law’s. It is
said that Page took part in racial singing groups which could be his motive for
entering the temple. The toxicology tests are still pending on whether or not alcohol
was a factor.
Another U.S. shooting took place on
August 24, in New York. Jeffery T. Johnson, and expert marksman and former
Coast Guard member, entered the intersection outside the Empire State Buildings
carrying a .45 caliber pistol. Johnson then shot dead Steven Ercolino, an
ex-co-worker, who he blamed for losing his job. After Ercolino fell, Johnson
kept shooting until he was shot dead by the New York Police Department. The
pistol Johnson carried, according to New York Gun Control Law’s, was purchased
and obtained legally. In the end, the only two dead were Johnson and Ercolino,
but nine others were injured due to bullet or fragment wounds; all injuries
were due to the crossfire of the New York Police Department.
Overall, in just these three
shootings, 19 people have lost their lives and over 60 were injured. As stated
before, the number of homicides in Chicago alone out numbers U.S. troop
killings in Afghanistan. After the shootings in Colorado, Wisconsin and New
York, people are starting to realize that there truly is no safe place anymore.
In the past four years the U.S. homicide rate has almost doubled; what will it
be like in the next four years.
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