Texas mall massacre is America’s 199th gun massacre in 2023 – nation may see bloodiest year EVER 

America is on course for its bloodiest year yet, as a shooting at a Texas mall on Sunday brought the total number of mass shootings in the US to 199, according to data from the Gun Violence Archive.

The rate at which mass shootings have occurred in the United States this year is much higher than in recent years. The country surpassed the grim milestone of more than 100 mass shootings on March 5 — nearly two weeks before reaching that figure in 2022.

According to a reportAt least 74 people have been killed or injured in school shootings, including the mass shooting in Nashville, Tennessee at The Covenant School in late March, the 129th mass shooting of the year.

In a disturbing clip, the gunman is seen dead outside another Allen store a few dozen yards from the H&M. He is seen dressed in SWAT gear, with a semi-automatic rifle at his side

Nashville mass shooter Audrey Hale was one of only five female mass shooters in history.

In April, Connor Sturgeon, a young Old National Bank employee, gunned down his workplace, bringing the total number of mass shootings in the US to 146.

The Louisville shooting left five dead, the Nashville shooting killed seven victims, including several children, while the Allen, Texas shooting killed nine on Saturday, making it one of the deadliest mass shootings of the year used to be.

There have been at least 12 mass shootings in Texas in 2023.

A mass shooting in Monterey Park, California, in January is the deadliest of the year so far. The tragic event left 12 people – including the gunman – dead.

Eight people were killed in a January 4 shooting in Cedar City, Utah, when Michael Haight killed his wife, their five children, and his mother-in-law before turning the gun on himself

The Gun Violence Archive (GVA), a non-profit investigative database that tracks shootings in the US, defines a “mass shooting” as a shooting with a minimum of four victims, wounded or killed, with no shooter at all.

A law enforcement officer carries a rifle as people are evacuated from the mall

A US Secret Service report released in January found that a history of mental health and a recent life crisis were common among attackers

In addition to active shooter incidents such as those in Louisville, “mass shootings” include accidental gun incidents, armed robberies, family homicide, home invasions, and drive-bys.

For example, when compiling these statistics, the GVA does not distinguish between a gang shooting and a school shooting.

Gun deaths are now so common that “mass shootings” – while undeniably traumatizing, high-profile events – will account for 1.1% of US gun deaths in 2020. (Most gun deaths are suicides).

But mass killings are on the rise. Another database, published by USA Today, tracks a much narrower category known as “public mass murders.” These are defined as events that kill four or more people, not counting the attacker, and in a public place, such as a school or a bank.

The most public mass murders ever committed in a single year in America is ten.

The Allen massacre was the fifth this year in the same number of months, meaning the country may be on track to set a new record.

According to the Switzerland-based Small Arms Survey, there are about 120 guns for every 100 Americans.

No other country has more civilian weapons than people. In the US, 44 percent of American adults live in a household with a gun.

According to a November 2020 Gallup survey, about a third of people personally own a gun. And a third of American adults believe there would be less crime if more people owned guns.

Mass shootings are also creating a demand for more guns, as many Americans become convinced that they would be “safer” if they personally owned a gun.

On Saturday, the latest mass shooting in the US rocked the small town of Allen, Texas – a suburb about 20 miles outside of Dallas. A lone gunman began his rampage around 3:30 p.m., forcing a mass evacuation and leaving residents desperate for answers.

Dashcam footage showed the moment the gunman, dressed in full SWAT attire, pulled up to the outdoor outlet before opening fire on unsuspecting civilians, using an AR-15 style rifle to mow down a crowd, including children.

Police, meanwhile, have been mostly silent on the exact magnitude of the tragedy – releasing sparse statements confirming several deaths before specifying how many and if any gunman was still at large.

However, disturbing footage captured at the scene – as well as multiple witness statements – exposed some of what happened, showing at least four bloodied bodies lying outside the H&M where the gunman began his attack.

Mike Haight, 42, killed his wife, Tausha Haight, 40, and their five children and mother-in-law in a horrific mass shooting in Utah

Chunli Zhao – a 66-year-old forklift driver on one of the farms targeted by the attack – allegedly carried out the attack over a dispute with his boss over a bill for damaged equipment

Saturday’s shooting occurred just before the one-year anniversary of the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, in which 19 children and two adults were fatally shot by an 18-year-old gunman with an assault weapon.

“We are shocked by today’s senseless tragedy and outraged by the violence that continues to plague our country,” Allen Premium Outlets said in a statement Saturday night.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and others affected by this horrific act. We are grateful for the heroic action of the police officer and for the support of all aid workers.’

Texas Governor Greg Abbott said his office has sent state officials from multiple agencies to assist the Allen Police Department in their investigation, including the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Texas Rangers.

“Our hearts are with the people of Allen, Texas tonight during this unspeakable tragedy,” Abbott said in his written statement.

“I have been in contact with Mayor Fulk and DPS Director McCraw, as well as other state and local leaders, and have offered the full support of the State of Texas to local officials to ensure that all necessary assistance and resources are deployed promptly. ‘

Mayor Kevin Fulk, a lifelong resident of Allen, added, “Today is a tragic day for the City of Allen… We know the days ahead will be difficult and bleak.”

Texas Senator Cruz also issued a statement saying that he and his wife Heidi are “praying for the families of the victims of the horrific shooting at a mall in Allen, Texas.

“We also pray for the wider Collin County community that is shaken by this tragedy,” said the Republican, an outspoken opponent of stricter gun laws.