Two people have been killed and at least eight people have been injured following multiple shootings near the oceanfront in Virginia Beach.

As reported by CNN, the Virginia Beach Police Department has confirmed at a press briefing on Saturday that eight shooting victims had been found at "the original crime scene" near 20th Street and Atlantic Avenue shortly after 11:00PM on Friday night.

Chief Paul Neudigate then added that while investigating that first shooting, more shots were fired roughly a block away, near 20th Street and Pacific Avenue.

Officials from the police department took to Twitter to warn the public to stay clear of the area.

This second shooting led to an individual "being confronted by a uniform Virginia Beach police officer," who shot and killed the person in what Neudigate called a "police intervention shooting".

A second person - "an adult female", per the release notes - was also killed at a nearby third shooting, Neudigate confirmed, adding that police were investigating, but that the third shooting does not appear to be related to the first two.

A Virginia Beach police officer has also been taken to a nearby hospital after being hit by a car. Their injuries are reportedly non-life-threatening.

Neudigate told reporters earlier today: "What you can see is we have a very chaotic incident, a very chaotic night in the Beach. Many different crime scenes."

Regarding the eight people who have been taken to local hospitals with gunshot wounds, the VBPD states on their official website that "some of these injuries range from serious to life-threatening".

CNN reports that no arrests have been made yet. Additionally, no motive for the shootings has been given.

These incidents come after President Biden called on Congress to ban the sale of assault weapons, in the aftermath of the recent shootings in Boulder, Colorado, and Atlanta, Georgia.

Anyone with information regarding this crime is encouraged to call Virginia Beach Crime Solvers at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP (1-888-562-5887).

Featured image credit:  Sipa USA / Alamy

As gun control remains a prominent issue in modern America, so too are mass shootings continuing to characterise the country’s news headlines. On Friday, a city engineer in Virginia Beach, VA killed 12 people in a government building using two .45 ACP pistols.

The perpetrator, 40-year-old DeWayne Craddock, was shot dead by police officers responding to the incident. A city engineer, he had access to the employee offices and other restricted areas in the open-entry municipal building. Furthermore, according to Virginia Beach City Manager Dave Hansen, Craddock had sent his notice of resignation that morning.

Asked in a press conference yesterday what that email said, Craddock responded, "we are determining where that letter is." He stated that Craddock, who had worked with the city's utilities department for 15 years, was not forced to resign and did not appear to be quitting because he had another job.

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Getty]]

According to the New York Times, a source close to Virginia Beach’s city government said he had no record of issues with conduct but had been getting into physical “scuffles” with other employees and was told that disciplinary action would follow. Although reports have stated that Craddock was shooting indiscriminately, Hansen confirmed that one of the victims was his supervisor. He had no previous criminal history.

Four victims were in critical condition yesterday, according to Sentara Healthcare. "Critical condition suggests all these patients are in ICUs and medically fragile," the company said in a statement. Speaking of the victims, Hansen added: "They leave a void that we will never be able to fill."

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Getty]]

Another city worker, engineering technician Joseph Scott, described Craddock as a “nice guy” who was in good standing with fellow employees and who he had never heard a bad word about. He spoke to Craddock minutes before the shooting occurred. "He was in there brushing his teeth, which he always did after he ate," Scott explained. "I said 'Hey, how you doing? What are you doing this weekend?' It was just a brief conversation."

Speaking at a vigil yesterday, pastor Luther Allen made an appeal for gun control. "We are tired of the same old same old of violence and outcry and prayer and back to the same old thing again," he said. "God, we need something different and we need it right now.

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Getty]]

"As you go back to the municipal centre on Monday, as you go back to Richmond on Monday, go back with the agenda and go be forewarned that November is coming," he added. "And we shall remember May 31st, 2019, and what you do between now and November will let us know if you're still truly on our side. God bless you."

Eleven of the deceased were city employees. The other was a contractor. Two 45-calibre pistols were used in the attack, according to Ashan Benedict - the regional special agent for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

[[imagecaption|| Credit: City of Virginia Beach]]

Details of the victims were released to the press via a news conference on Saturday held by City Manager Dave Hansen. The deceased, pictured above, are Laquita C. Brown, Tara Welch Gallagher, Mary Louise Gayle, Alexander Mikhail Gusev, Richard H. Nettleton, Christopher Kelly Rapp, Katherine A. Nixon, Ryan Keith Cox, Michelle Langer, Joshua O. Hardy, Robert Williams, and Herbert Snelling.

Between them, they had served 150 years for the city. Robert "Bobby" Williams was the longest serving, having worked as a special projects coordinator for four decades. Laquita C. Brown was the sort of person who would bring in cupcakes if someone was having a bad day, according to those who knew her. "She lit up the office every single day," said Danielle Cyr DeFrias, a friend from a previous job.

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Getty]]

Christopher Kelly Rapp had a keen interest in Scottish music and had recently joined a pipe band, playing with the group in a local Celtic festival in October and again on St Patrick’s Day. "Chris was reserved but very friendly, quietly engaging members one-on-one after our weekly practices," the band, Tidewater Pipes & Drums, said in a statement.

“This was impromptu,” explained Pastor Chris Mitchell, in reference to a prayer group he led on Saturday. He reportedly broke down in tears, insisting that “the Lord is good”. The 38-year-old, wearing a grey “Gateway” t-shirt, explained to the press. “Last night we went to bed at one, woke up at four and just wept, asking God, what can we do? Just organically we felt we needed to be here. We were compelled.”

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Getty]]

“We said prayers for the families,” he continued. “I can’t imagine what they’re going through. A mother described it as the same sort of feeling she had on September 11 2001. That might sound like overkill to some but for us, it is that weighty.” However, others are going further still to describe the situation. “This is the most devastating day in the history of Virginia Beach,” explained Mayor Bobby Dyer.

Regardless of which side of the gun control debate one sits on, this horrific event has opened existing wounds. The reoccurrence of mass shootings in the US means the country is barely able to mourn its dead before another such incident occurs.

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Getty]]

As has been the case with so many towns and cities which have suffered this fate, many believed a mass shooting could never happen here. Residents speak of the city’s clean streets, sandy beaches and excellent school system. However, in a country where a gun is so easily obtainable, it seems tragedy is never far away.

Four people, including a child, have been killed in a mass shooting incident in Orange, California.

According to CNN, local police officers responded to reports of a shooting at approximately 5pm, on Wednesday, March 31

They engaged the suspect in a gun battle, where at least one cop was wounded as a result.

The office complex where the shooting occurred reportedly houses a number of businesses, including Farmer's Insurance, Calco Financial and Miller Counseling.

Police have not yet publically identified the perpetrator or revealed the names of any of the victims of the shooting.

However, per CNN, it is currently known that one of the victims is a minor.

In a later news conference, OPD spokesperson Lt. Jennifer Amat stated that the suspect was transported to the hospital after sustaining a gunshot wound, but did not reveal whether the police had inflicted the injury, or if it was self-inflicted.

Amat added: "I can tell you that we haven't had an incident like this in the city of Orange since 1997. It's just such a tragedy for the victims, their families, our community, and our police department.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has since commented on the tragedy in a recent tweet, writing to his 1.9 million followers: "Horrifying and heartbreaking. Our hearts are with the families impacted by this terrible tragedy tonight."

Meanwhile, Rep. Katie Porter wrote in a tweet of her own:

"I'm deeply saddened by reports of a mass shooting in Orange County, and I’m continuing to keep victims and their loved ones in my thoughts as we continue to learn more.

"My team and I will continue to monitor the situation closely."

This incident has occurred less than a week after multiple shootings in Virginia Beach, on March 27, left two people dead and several more injured.

In response to these and many other past massing shooting incidents President Biden called on Congress to ban the sale of assault weapons.

In an impassioned speech, Biden stated: "I don’t need to wait another minute, let alone an hour, to take common-sense steps that will save lives in the future and to urge my colleagues in the House and Senate to act."

Featured Image Credit: Pexels

Five people have been killed with "multiple" people injured after a mass shooting at a bank in Louisville, Kentucky.

Authorities received a call at around 8:30 AM local time about an active shooter in the area, with the situation ongoing when police arrived at the scene.

"We are confirming reports of an active aggressor in the 300 block of East Main. Please stay out of the area. There are multiple casualties," Louisville Metro Police Department tweeted.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear tweeted: "LMPD has confirmed a shooting situation in downtown Louisville with multiple casualties. I am headed there now. Please pray for all of the families impacted and for the city of Louisville."

Brian Krassenstein, an independent journalist, attended the scene where he heard police officers yell: "Active shooter at the bank."

He also shared a video from the scene on social media in which shots can be heard.

FBI Louisville confirmed that they are in attendance. "FBI Louisville special agents have responded to the scene of this morning's shooting in downtown Louisville and are assisting our law enforcement partners," they penned via Twitter.

Just under an hour after the initial report, the police department confirmed that the shooter was dead at the scene, though it is not clear how he came to be deceased at this stage.

"There is no longer an active aggressor threat. The suspected shooter has been neutralized," they wrote.

"The shooter was confirmed to be dead on the scene. We do not know exactly the circumstances of his death at this time,” LMPD Deputy Chief Paul Humphrey said during a press conference at the scene.

He told reporters: "We received a report of shots fired and a possible active shooter at 333 East Main Street at the Old National Bank. Shortly after, officers arrived on the scene [...] where they encountered active gunshots still being fired inside the location at that time.

"The shooter was confirmed to be dead on the scene. We do not know exactly the circumstances of his death at this time.

"Five people are confirmed to have been killed inside, with at least six transported to the University of Louisville Hospital including one officer with various injuries. We are unable to confirm the status of those who have been transported at this time."

He added: "I will reiterate that this is an ongoing investigation, this information is preliminary and it will be updated shortly."

Deputy Chief Humphrey reassured viewers that there is "no known active danger" to the public at this stage but urged them to stay away from the area as "it will be an ongoing scene that will take a long time to investigate."

Police confirmed that at least five people had been killed in the mass shooting incident, with six others transported to a local hospital. One of the six reported to have been transported to the hospital was a police officer, with the current well-being of those injured remaining unknown.

The identity of the shooter remains unknown.

Featured image credit: ZUMA Press, Inc. / Alamy

A gunman opened fire at the Capital Gazette newspaper headquarters in Annapolis, Maryland. According to news reports, five people were killed and more than a dozen were injured. The suspect has been apprehended by police and taken into custody.

Officials said the suspect is an adult male in his 30’s with a "long gun," and gave no further details. No motive for the shooting has been given as of this writing. CNN reported that the suspect has not been cooperative with police. He carried no ID and has refused to identify himself.

The shooting occurred in Capital Gazette's newsroom, and the staff ducked under their desks to find safety. Crime and courts reporter Phil Davis described the horrifying scene on Twitter: "Gunman shot through the glass door to the office and opened fire on multiple employees ... There is nothing more terrifying than hearing multiple people get shot while you're under your desk and then hear the gunman reload."

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/PhilDavis_CG/status/1012421862402527232]]

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/PhilDavis_CG/status/1012422058972676097]]

In a subsequent interview with the Baltimore Sun, Davis said the scene was "like a war zone" and said the reporters remained under their desks after the gunfire stopped. "I don’t know why. I don’t know why he stopped," said Davis. “But as much as I’m going to try to articulate how traumatizing it is to be hiding under your desk, you don’t know until you’re there and you feel helpless."

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/megwagner/status/1012451713557651459]]

Police arrived at the scene within 60 seconds of the 911 call, which was around 2:40pm. They found the suspect hiding under a desk in the building, according to Steve Schuh, am Anne Arundel county executive. His weapon was on the floor but not in close proximity. Law enforcement officials the building and discovered package with flammable fluid. A bomb squad has been deployed to check the building for explosive devices.

More than 170 people were in the building at the time of the shooting. They have been safely evacuated. According to the Capital Gazette's website, their daily newspaper and sister publications have an editorial staff of 45, plus a sales and advertising team of 10.

In Baltimore, New York City and Los Angeles, law enforcement has deployed officers to protect major media organizations as a precaution.

President Trump has been briefed on the shooting. He tweeted, "My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. Thank you to all of the First Responders who are currently on the scene."

Capital Gazette editor Jimmy DeButts tweeted that he was "devastated and heartbroken." He said does not wish to be interviewed about the shooting at this time. But he praised his hardworking staff, explaining that they do "more with less" and have "a passion for telling stories from our community." They lived to serve their community, and in this case, died for it.

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/jd3217/status/1012442288767762432]]

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/jd3217/status/1012442759838478337]]

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/jd3217/status/1012443805545623552]]

As of this writing, the shooter has not been identified, and there is no information as to his motive.