Halloween Weekend Shootings Across US Leave at Least 13 Dead, 92 Injured
A wave of shootings across the United States turned Halloween weekend deadly, leaving at least 13 people dead and 92 injured, according to a preliminary tally by CNN.
The violence struck parties, nightlife districts, college towns and even a Halloween store from Friday night into early Sunday. CNN noted that its count, based partly on data from the Gun Violence Archive, is not complete.
Deadliest Night in Dallas
The highest toll came in Dallas, where three separate shootings broke out in the Deep Ellum nightlife district over about an hour and 15 minutes Saturday night. Four people were killed and at least 15 were injured. "This is a really big scene. It's spread out," Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux told reporters.
Police had boosted their presence in the area ahead of the holiday. "We had more presence out here, and this was something that we were ramped up for," Comeaux said, according to CNN.
Some arrests were made, but investigators were still working to determine whether the shootings were connected, The Associated Press reported.
Violence Near Campuses and Game Days
In Birmingham, Alabama, two shootings broke out outside Legion Field after the Magic City Classic, a football game that drew nearly 70,000 fans. One person was killed and eight were wounded. A 17-year-old was taken into custody, and Mayor Randall Woodfin said the teen had a gun fitted with a Glock conversion switch.
The shooting came just weeks after other violence tied to college celebrations, including a Georgia homecoming block party shooting and a FAMU homecoming shooting that injured 11.
Several college towns were also hit:
In Bloomington, Illinois, near Illinois Wesleyan University, a 19-year-old woman was killed and seven others were hurt early Sunday. One woman was in critical condition.
In Bloomington, Indiana, seven people ages 17 to 27 were shot near a large downtown crowd. All were in stable condition, according to Mayor Kerry Thomson.
In Newark, Delaware, six people were shot on Main Street near the University of Delaware during Halloween celebrations. "We must never accept gun violence as a part of life in Delaware," Gov. Matt Meyer said.
In Fayetteville, Arkansas, six people were injured in the Dickson Street area near the University of Arkansas after what police described as an altercation.
Parties Turn Deadly
Many of the shootings happened at gatherings. In Ellendale, Delaware, someone fired into a crowd at an outdoor party, killing a 17-year-old girl and wounding eight people ages 17 to 22.
In Jacksonville, Florida, two separate party shootings that police said followed fights left a 17-year-old girl and a 20-year-old man dead and 11 others wounded. "I am saddened by the heinous acts of violence our community endured this weekend," Sheriff T.K. Waters said.
In Jackson, Mississippi, two men in ski masks entered a nightclub costume party, and at least one opened fire on the dance floor, killing a man and a woman and wounding four. Other shootings were reported at parties in Flint, Michigan; Wichita, Kansas; and Edinburg, Texas.
Shootings at Halloween Stores
The violence even reached Halloween shops. In Fairfield, California, a 31-year-old woman, who family members said was pregnant, was killed and six people were injured inside a Spirit Halloween store on Friday. Police called it a targeted attack. The shopping center canceled its trick-or-treating event the next day.
In Madison Heights, Michigan, a 21-year-old man was fatally shot Friday afternoon near another Spirit Halloween location.
The Gun Violence Archive has recorded nearly 400 mass shootings in the U.S. so far this year. Many of the investigations from the weekend remain ongoing, and police in several cities have not yet announced arrests.
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