In a tragic incident early on Sunday morning, a mass shooting in Cleveland, Ohio, resulted in at least nine individuals sustaining gunshot wounds, as reported by local authorities.
Cleveland mass shooting: Here are the latest updates
Fortunately, no fatalities have been reported thus far, according to Jennifer Ciaccia, spokesperson for the Cleveland Division of Police.
Preliminary information reveals that the shooting occurred when an unidentified suspect opened fire on a group of people before swiftly fleeing the scene, Ciaccia stated in an official statement to CNN.
The incident occurred at the intersection of West 6th Street and Johnson Court, prompting an immediate response from officers already present in the area on a weekly detail assignment. Upon receiving reports of multiple individuals being shot, the police promptly arrived and provided necessary medical aid.
As investigations unfold, law enforcement authorities are diligently reviewing the available evidence, including surveillance footage, and conducting interviews with the victims at MetroHealth Medical Centre, Ciaccia confirmed.
At this stage, no further details have been released.
US mass shootings continue to soar in the face of weak gun laws
This shooting is yet another painful reminder of the pervasive issue of gun violence in the United States, as the nation continues to grapple with the prevalence of mass shootings.
According to the Gun Violence Archive, which adopts a definition similar to CNN‘s, there have been a staggering 365 mass shootings recorded thus far in 2023.
The archive defines a mass shooting as an incident where four or more individuals, excluding the shooter, are wounded by gunfire.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the Cleveland mass shooting to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation.
The community stands united in its condemnation of such acts of violence and hopes for swift justice to be served.
As the nation continues to grapple with the urgent issue of gun violence, discussions surrounding comprehensive gun control measures and enhanced safety protocols are reignited, with a shared determination to prevent future tragedies of this nature.