New Year, Same Issue

    Each year, we hope for a break in the pattern—a glimpse of hope and an end to this horrible cycle. But each year, we check the news and are disappointed regardless. Going into 2023, in January alone, there have been 49 mass shootings, per the Stanford University definition of 3 or more people, excluding the perpetrator, injured by gunfire in a public location. This horrifically is up from the 2021 and 2022 counts in January with 35 and 40, respectively.

    The most fatal shootings were the January 21-22 Monterey Park Shooting, in which a 72-year-old man shot and killed 12 people in a dance studio in Southern California following a Lunar New Years celebration. The elderly Huu Can Tran entered the Star Ballroom in Monterey Park, California on January 21st, 2023, fatally shooting 12 patrons and injuring a further 9. 17 minutes after the first incident,the gunman entered the Lai Lai Ballroom in Alhambra, California 3 miles away but was quickly rushed by Brandon Tsay, a 26-year-old student. For this, he was awarded a medal of courage and a personal statement from President Biden, stating “I don’t think you understand just how much you’ve done for so many people who are never going to even know you. But I want them to know more about you. … You have my respect. You are America, pal.”

    On January 23rd, first responders were notified of a shooting at Mountain Mushroom Farms where 4 employees were mortally injured and a 5th was left in critical condition. Between the time of the arrival of first responders and the shootings, the gunman drove 2 miles to Concord Farms to fatally shoot 3 more people. At 4:40 p.m., the perpetrator was found in the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office parking lot where he was taken into custody, surrendering himself. 66-year-old Chunli Zhao awaits trial under 7 charges of murder, 1 charge of attempted murder, firearm use enhancements, and a count of special circumstance allegation of multiple murder. If convicted, Zhao could face the death penalty, despite expressing remorse for the shootings. The 2023 Half Moon Bay Shootings were the second in 2023.

    Here in Denver, a man was pronounced dead on January 12th, 2023 following a shooting in LoDo at 21st and Lawrence on January 9th at approx. 1:50 a.m. He was one of 4 victims, the rest injured.

    Most recently, there was a shooting in Texas City, Texas on February 1st, 2023, where another 4 were injured with 1 being rushed to the hospital in critical condition. 2 children were found in the apartment complex but were unharmed. Motives and suspects are unclear.

    While the list of shootings is long, and the year just beginning, we look forward, perhaps foolishly, to a future free of gun violence. Our condolences are with all affected families of gun violence and we hope for a 2023, and following years, with peace.