NATIONAL News:
NEWTOWN, CT — The Independence Day holiday weekend, often some of the deadliest days of the year in the U.S., saw several mass shootings and other acts of gun violence rock cities throughout the country.
Over the July 4th holiday weekend, at least 24 instances of mass shootings occurred where four or more people were killed or injured, according to The Gun Violence Archive. These shootings are in addition to staggering toll of everyday gun violence nationwide.
The weekend tragedies included a mass shooting in Chicago, where four people were killed and 14 were injured as people attended a party in a busy restaurant and nightlife area. Another tragedy unfolded in Philadelphia, where three adults were killed and ten others injured, including two wounded juveniles. In Brockton, Massachusetts, six people were injured by gunfire after a fight broke out at a Fourth of July party. And in Indianapolis, two teens were killed and five others were injured – four of which were teens. Additional shootings occurred in numerous other cities.
The 2025 holiday experienced an elevated level of violence in line with a steady uptick that has taken place over the last three years. There were at least 21 mass shootings during the same holiday weekend in 2024, 17 mass shootings during the same period in 2023, and 20 mass shootings in 2022.
In response, Nicole Hockley, co-founder and co-CEO of Sandy Hook Promise and mother of Dylan who was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy, issued the following statement:
“Independence Day should be a time for celebration and joy, not grief. Yet, for far too many families this holiday now marks the remembrance of their loved one being killed. Children, parents, and loved ones should never have to experience this incredible pain, and no holiday should ever be stained by senseless tragedies such as this. We remember the lives stolen by senseless gun violence and stand with the victims and their families in demanding action.
“Gun violence is not fated or inevitable. It is a direct consequence of persistent inaction. We have the knowledge, tools, and proven solutions to prevent these tragedies. Practical measures like universal background checks, secure storage laws, and temporary transfer policies – are not theoretical ideals but evidence-based solutions that are proven to save lives.
“Additionally, educational programs that teaches the warning signs of violence and when and how to seek help are essential measures to keep schools, homes, and communities safe from shootings.
“The cost of inaction is measured in lives lost, shattered families and scarred communities. We urge every parent, community leader, elected official, and concerned citizen to join us in prioritizing safety and demanding a future free from gun violence. We cannot accept that one of our country’s most cherished holidays continues to be among its most violent – especially not when we have the power to prevent it.”
For more information actions that everyone can take to prevent gun violence, including what the warning signs are, and ways to support life-saving state and federal policies, please visit sandyhookpromise.org.
