Seven people, including a 11-year-old, died as a result of shooting incidents in Washington, D.C. between July 18 and 22, according to WTOP. All those shootings reportedly involved illegal guns.
D.C. Police Chief Peter Newsham stated that he was not surprised about the use of illegal guns, as 20 percent of murder suspects are previous criminals.
“There should be consequences that make that person decide that they’re not going to pick up a gun again, and we don’t have that right now,” Newsham was quoted as saying by WTOP.
In the meantime, D.C. police arrested a man in relation to the killing of 11-year-old Karon Brown. The gunfire that resulted in the boy’s death occurred in Southeast D.C. on Thursday.
“We cannot wait for another child to fall victim to senseless gun violence,” said D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser after Brown’s death.
At least 19 people were shot in five days from last Wednesday through Sunday. Seven individuals were shot on Sunday alone. One of those who suffered a double shooting is in a serious condition, while another person was less severely injured in the same incident.
On Monday, D.C. Mayor Bowser held a press conference regarding the widespread shooting incidents in the District and called for the public’s assistance against illegal guns.