America Mourns as Mass Shootings Take Over the Nation

There have been 216 days in the year so far, as of Sunday. Within those 216 days, there have been 251 mass shootings in the United States. The U.S. is in a constant battle with gun control. People have guns, mass shootings occur. People don't have guns, they can't protect themselves. It seems like a lose-lose situation. None the less, even people who obtain their guns legally commit vicious crimes. The two men involved in these shootings both obtained their guns legally and had no previous crimes to be on the police radar.

What happened this past weekend is heartbreaking and unjust. It is time to put an end to hatred and racism, and work together as a country to keep this stuff from tearing us apart on the inside.

On Saturday, Patrick Cruisius (21), drove 9 hours from Dallas to kill 20 people, with over 2 dozen injured, in a Wal-Mart in El Paso, Texas. He was arrested after he surrendered himself.

This Wal-Mart is just 5 miles from the Mexican border with up to 3,000 shoppers present. Twenty-two people were hospitalized, including a 4 month old- one pronounced dead, 9 are in critical but stable condition. People wait in lines in triple digit heat to give blood for the people injured.

There was a document found on the internet, denouncing the increase Hispanic population in Texas. This has not been confirmed to be Cruisuis yet, however it is possible that it was inspired by the crimes.

Crusius wore ear protection as he entered the Wal-Mart with AK-47 rifle. Many people captured video of the gun being shot off from inside the shopping center.

A criminal investigation, a civil rights hate crime investigation, and "domestic terrorism" charges are being placed against the suspect. They will push for the death penalty on this case.

Former Texas Rep. and presidential candidate, Beto O'Rourke, has said that Trump's views on immigration "has a lot to do with what happened in El Paso yesterday."

Just around 1 a.m. on Sunday morning, Connor Bretts, 24 years old, opened fire in Oregon District. This is a popular hang out place full of bars and restaurants. Bretts arrived with his sister and a companion, but split up from the two.

Bretts wore body armor and carried a weapon with 2 drum magazines with up to 50 rounds of ammunition each. Officers heard the shooting and arrived at the scene within 20 seconds, and killed Bretts, as he was trying to get into a bar, within 10 seconds. If these officers had not responded so quickly, much more damage could have been caused.

As Bretts's motives are unclear, he killed 9 people, including his own sister, and injured 27.

Dayton is till recovering from major tornado damage from Memorial weekend. With this mass shooting, this town has a lot of heartbreak.

Bretts attended college in 2017, but was currently not enrolled. His sister attended college and was pursuing a career.

Bretts purchased his firearm legally, as he had no previous run ins with the law. With no motive, what would lead a 24 year old to commit such a crime?

What happened this weekend is terrifying and heartbreaking. This is happening in our own backyards. We should not have to be in fear of being shot when we walk out of our homes. This the reality of what America has become. It is time we open our eyes.