At least 14 people were shot dead and another 16 were injured in a bloody wave of violence across America over the Christmas weekend.
Among the victims was a child under the age of 5, as well as a number of teenagers in cities including Denver, Philadelphia and Chicago.
Colorado experienced the worst violence, with six people dead over the holiday weekend due to gun-related crimes, while in Chicago at least seven people were injured.
And in Minneapolis a 19-year-old was gunned down during a ‘gang brawl’ inside the Mall of America.
A shooting inside the Mall of America on Saturday morning left one dead
Security officers survey the scene inside the Mall of America in Minneapolis where a 19-year-old was shot dead
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Young Kansas City boy found suffering from gunshot wound on Christmas Eve
A young Kansas City boy was found inside his Missouri home suffering from a gunshot wound on Christmas in what police believe was an accident.
Officers responded to the scene of the boy’s home at around 6.45pm on Christmas Eve in the 7800 block of James A Reed Road, where they found the boy suffering from a gunshot wound in critical condition.
Police on the scene interviewed witnesses inside the home and transported the child to a local hospital, where he died later in the night, the Lawton Constitution reports.
The boy’s death remains under investigation, but authorities believe the shooting was accidental and are not looking for any suspects.
Shootings in bloody Colorado leave six people dead
At least six people died in Colorado due to gun-related crimes over the weekend.
In Aurora, officials are investigating two double homicides, both of which occurred on Christmas Eve.
Officers first received a call at around 11am Saturday requesting a welfare check at a home in the 1500 block of Boston Street.
Once on the scene, they found two adults dead from apparent gunshot wounds, the Denver Post reports.
No arrests have been made for the homicide, as investigators are continuing to work to determine the relationship between the two adults.
Later in the afternoon, police were called about another shooting in the 17500 block of East Tennessee Place, where investigators found two men outside with gunshot wounds.
The victims were rushed to a local hospital, where they succumbed to their injuries.
No arrests have been made in that shooting yet, either.
Meanwhile, in Thornton, Colorado, a married couple was found shot to death at a Jehovah’s Witness Kingdom Hall, in what police believe was a murder-suicide.
Officers said it was reported that an adult female was shot and killed by her husband who then turned the gun on himself.
Witnesses claim they saw a suspect throw a Molotov cocktail into the building as emergency services raced to the scene.
Thornton Police confirmed that they responded to reports of a structural fire at Kingdom Hall before finding the bodies of a man and a woman at 9am.
The couple were former members of the congregation.
Thornton Fire Department responded to a structural fire at Kingdom Hall but did not find a blaze on arrival, handing the investigation over to cops
The identities of the deceased will be released at a later date by the Adams County Coroner’s office
A husband shot and killed his wife before turning the gun on himself at a Jehovah’s witness center in Thornton, Colorado
Police added there are ‘no known threats’ to the community and witnesses are being interviewed.
In a statement, they said: ‘The individuals were married and former members of the Kingdom Hall congregation.
‘The Adams County Sheriff’s Office hazardous Material Unit is currently investigating suspicious devices found at the scene.
By Sunday night, Thornton police said they found three ‘incendiary devices’ at the scene, but would not elaborate.
Police, however, insisted there are ‘no further concerns for the safety of the Thornton community.’
Teenager is shot dead in ‘gang brawl’ at the Mall of America
Johntae Hudson, 19, was fatally shot during a fight inside America’s largest shopping complex Friday night.
Five teenagers have since been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the fatal shooting.
Two 18-year-olds and three 17-year-olds were arrested at their homes at 8.40am on Saturday morning, about 12 hours after 19-year-old Hudson was fatally shot during a fight inside the massive shopping complex.
A sixth suspect is still being pursued by police, they confirmed.
According to Bloomington Police Chief Booker Hodges, the five who were arrested stopped by a White Castle to satisfying their cravings for a bite after fleeing the scene.
‘The people we arrested here after the shooting, appears that they felt it was necessary to get something to eat. So they went to White Castle…and got a crave pack,’ said a clearly miffed Hodges.
The 18-year-olds involved in the brawl-turned-murder were identified as Taeshawn Wright and Deandre Depratto.
The 17-year-olds, being juveniles, were not identified publicly by the police.
Friday night’s victim was identified as 19-year-old Johntae Hudson of St. Paul
Wright and Depratto were arrested Saturday morning in connection with the fatal shooting that occurred at the Mall of America on Friday evening
Officials locked down America’s largest shopping complex in the aftermath
The victim of the Friday evening brawl – that was an escalation of ‘long-standing feud’ between two groups of teenagers – was identified as Johntae Hudson of St. Paul, Minnesota.
Hudson’s sister, Ja’Nayea, 22, tearfully explained that her brother was ‘supposed to go to the mall to find like a sweater to go with his shoes to go to his friend’s birthday that night.’
When Ja’Nayea got a call that he brother had been shot said she said she initially ‘hoped like it was just like a minor bullet wound or something.’
That hope fell when she heard first responders were ‘trying to find a pulse.’
The family has established a GoFundMe page to assist with funeral expenses.
Hodges initially reported that the suspects were ‘flat out’ refusing to cooperate, adding that some of them refused to share their names.
Seven injured in shootings across Chicago
At least seven people, including a teenager, were also shot in the Windy City during the Christmas weekend.
Authorities say a 55-year-old man was struck in the hand by gunfire Saturday evening in the first shooting of the weekend.
He was transferred to a local and was said to be in good condition.
Less than half an hour later, a 48-year-old man was also struck in the hand by a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Officials say he, too, was brought to the hospital in good condition.
Another 32-year-old man was hit later Saturday night after a suspect opened fire duri ng an argument, and is in good condition at the hospital.
Meanwhile, two others were shot in separate incidents early Sunday morning.
Both of them have been reported to be in fair condition.
