Within less than two weeks, California was struck with six mass shootings. While all the shootings had different motives, one thing is clear: something must be done.
The first of the six shootings took place on Jan. 16 in Goshen, California. A family of six, including a mother and her infant, a 19-year-old man and 72-year-old woman were found dead in their home.
Due to the execution style and the city of Goshen being overrun by gangs, police have confirmed that the homicide was committed by the Mexican drug cartel.
On Jan. 21 in Monterey Park, California during Lunar New Year, 10 people were wounded and 10 were fatally shot by a gunman. The gunman has been identified as Huu Can Tran, 72, who went on and caused another incident in Alhambra, CA.
Two citizens of an Alhambra dance studio noticed Tran was armed, wrestled him and took the gun away from Tran. Tran escaped the scene and was later found dead in his car in Torrance, California.
While his motives are still unknown, police have reported that the suspect’s gun, a semi-automatic assault pistol, is illegal in the state.
On Jan. 22 in Half Moon Bay, California, mass shootings took place at two nurseries. The gunman, Chunli Zhao, 66, fatally shot seven people and hospitalized the eighth victim. Zhao was found by law enforcement and arrested the next day.
Police have shared that Zhao isn’t a US citizen and is believed to have worked at one of these nurseries. The gun used by Zhao was also illegally purchased.
Zhao was charged with seven counts of murder, one count of attempted murder, firearm use enhancements and a count of special circumstance allegation of multiple murder.
On Jan. 23 in Oakland, Californa a shooting at a gas station left seven victims wounded and one dead. Although the incident is still under investigation, police believe the shooting was a targeted gang attack.
On Jan. 27 in San Diego two shooting incidents took place. After receiving calls of hearing gunshots, San Diego police found two 15-year-old boys with gunshot wounds. They were immediately sent to a hospital and are expected to survive.
Police received another call reporting a shooting. Two victims were at the scene of the crime. The first victim, a 34-year-old black man, survived, but the second victim, a 32-year-old Hispanic man, succumbed to his gunshot wounds.
Police were able to get a physical description of the gunman, who has been identified as Jaime Gonzalez, 22. The police have reported that the gun used during these shootings is untraceable.
The sixth mass shooting took place on Jan. 28 in Beverly Hills, CA. There were five victims in this shooting. Two were wounded and the three women, ages 26-33, were found dead in a car outside.
No arrests have been made and there is currently no motive.
Gun Violence Archive, a website that tracks nationwide mass shootings, has reported that there have been 55 mass shootings so far in 2023.
In these shootings, two things have been consistent: gang activity and illegal, untraceable firearms.
It is unclear what the government and law enforcement plan to do to combat the threat of mass shootings and the growth of gang violence. At this time, thoughts and prayers will continue to be sent out to the victims and their families.