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US President Joe Biden has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff at the White House, buildings, public areas, and military facilities until May 11 to commemorate the victims of the shooting at a shopping mall in Allen, Texas.
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| Flags at half-mast at the White House in memory of the victims of the shooting in Texas on May 6, 2023. Photo: AFP/TTXVN |
In addition, all US embassies, legations, consulates and other US facilities abroad have been ordered to fly their flags at half-staff. Mr. Biden said the federal government , the state of Texas and local law enforcement are “working closely together to investigate the shooting,” and stressed that federal agencies have been asked to provide any necessary assistance.
According to NBC, the US President once again called on Congress to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, as well as enact universal background checks and end immunity for gun manufacturers. President Biden said the Texas shooter was armed with an AR-15-style assault rifle (a civilian version of the M16 rifle, with multiple selectable fire modes).
However, there is little chance that the Republican-controlled House and Democratic-majority Senate will find common ground to pass such legislation, even though polls show most Americans support background checks for gun owners.
The gunman on May 6 in Texas, Mauricio Garcia, 33, killed eight people, including children, and injured at least seven, before being shot dead by police. According to US law enforcement officials, Garcia frequently posted online content supporting neo-Nazi and white supremacists. He also reportedly had several social media accounts and authorities found a right-wing symbol on his chest.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, called the shooting “devastating” and said the effective way to address gun violence lies in addressing mental health. “There has been a significant increase in the level of anger and violence that is occurring in America,” Abbott said. “We are working to get to the root of the problem and address mental health issues.”
Statistics from the Gun Violence Archive show that since the beginning of 2023, about 200 shootings have occurred in the US, the highest level at this time of year since 2016.
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Mauricio Garcia, 33 years old, the gunman in Texas on May 6 (photo: Jantakareporter, India) |
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