The tragic incident at a holiday block party in Baltimore, where two individuals lost their lives and 28 others sustained injuries, sheds light on a disturbing trend of escalating mass shootings in the United States since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

As of Monday, the country has already witnessed 340 mass shootings this year. If this rate persists, the United States is projected to encounter a staggering 679 mass shootings in 2023, making it the second-highest number recorded in a calendar year since 2014, as reported by the Gun Violence Archive.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the way Americans lived, worked, and socialized, the number of mass shootings in 2019 reached 417—a staggering 61% lower than the projected total for 2023.

During the early hours of Sunday, a burst of gunfire disrupted an outdoor block party in Baltimore's Brooklyn Homes community. Acting Police Commissioner Richard Worley disclosed that out of the 28 injured victims, 15 were aged between 13 and 17, while the remaining casualties were over 17. Tragically, the two fatalities were 18 and 20 years old.

As of Monday, seven individuals were still hospitalized, with four in critical condition. Authorities have sought the assistance of the public in locating multiple suspects, expressing concerns about potential retaliation for the shootings.

Criminologist James Alan Fox from Northeastern University attributes the surge in mass shootings over the past three years partly to the profound impact of the pandemic on the American population.

According to Fox, many individuals are grappling with financial and emotional hardships resulting from the pandemic. He noted that gun sales have surged since the onset of COVID-19, while the deep divisions and polarization within the country further contribute to the rise in mass shootings.

The issue of gun ownership, protected by the second amendment of the Constitution, remains highly debated in the United States. Shocking incidents like the Baltimore shooting reignite the political discourse surrounding this contentious topic. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott emphasized the urgent need for national-level gun control measures during a news conference, referring to gun violence as an enduring public health crisis in the country.

Reflecting on the country's status as a global leader, Mayor Scott expressed frustration over the ongoing struggle to prioritize the lives of American citizens over the unrestricted access to firearms.

Fox highlighted that many people are facing financial and emotional challenges as a result of the pandemic, leading to an increase in gun sales. The deep divisions and polarization within the country also contribute to the growing number of mass shootings.

Gun ownership is a contentious issue in the United States, protected by the second amendment of the Constitution. After shocking incidents like the Baltimore shooting, the political debate surrounding gun control reignites. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott called for immediate national-level gun control measures, referring to gun violence as an enduring public health crisis.

Mayor Scott expressed frustration at the struggle to prioritize the lives of American citizens over unrestricted access to firearms, despite the country's position as a global leader.