If there’s been one upside to everyone being locked down, it’s been the fact that would-be maniacs haven’t really had an opportunity to carry out mass shootings. I mean, they’ve been stuck at home along with everyone else. There hasn’t been much in the way of opportunity.
Not that there hasn’t been any, mind you, but not much.
However, that streak of no mass shootings even attempted came to an abrupt end Wednesday night in Arizona.
A suspect is in custody after three people were shot Wednesday night at the Westgate Entertainment District in Glendale, Arizona, police say.
One victim is listed in critical condition while the two others had non-life threatening injuries, Glendale Police Officer Tiffany Ngalula said Wednesday night.The shooting was over by the time officers arrived, Ngalula said, adding police “challenged the suspect and were able to take that person into custody.”The suspect’s identity has not been released.In a statement to CNN, Westgate Entertainment District said they were “deeply troubled by this incident and our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families.”“Westgate will continue to work closely with the Glendale Police Department and in-house security to best ensure the safety of our customers, tenants and residents,” the statement said.The shopping complex in Glendale is about 15 miles from Phoenix.
Among the witnesses was a state senator, Democrat Martin Quezada, who was unharmed.
Right now, the focus should be on praying for a full recovery for all the injured, particularly the individual in critical condition. I don’t expect that to stop some from politicizing the issue, of course. Especially with what’s being reported as the weapon used in this attack.
Arizona State Senator Martín Quezada tweeted: “I just witnessed an armed terrorist with an AR-15 shoot up Westgate.
“I saw 2 victims with my own eyes. Not sure how many others I saw the shooter.
“Being told not to say anything else about details ’til I speak to police. I’m ok. Lots of shaken up people.”
The Senator also told 12News: “I saw him through my window after the shots were fired. He was walking calmly while reloading his weapon.”
The Sun also reports that the shooter’s mother has identified him publicly as a 20-year-old man from Peoria, Arizona. It also seems the shooter recorded a Snapchat video of him beginning the attack, identifying himself and what he was about to do.
The presence of an AR-15 or similar rifle will do little to quell the debate over these firearms that has been raging to some degree or another since the Parkland massacre. How much of an impact remains to be seen, however. With no one killed, at least so far, the anti-gun crowd may not be able to build as much momentum as they normally do after high-profile shootings.
None of which should matter right now. At the moment, at least one victim is still fighting for their life and two others will be faced with life-changing injuries. They’re what should matter at the moment.
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