The United States’ gun violence epidemic continued to ravage the nation this weekend, as five shootings in California, Iowa, and Washington left 24 people dead.

The first shooting occurred in Fresno, California, where two people were killed and four others were injured. Police are searching for a suspect and have not yet identified a motive.

In Des Moines, Iowa, a man opened fire at a shopping mall, killing eight people and injuring five others. Police have identified the shooter, who is now in custody.

In Washington, three separate shootings left 14 people dead. The first occurred in Tacoma, where a man opened fire at a house party, killing six people and injuring one. The second shooting happened in Seattle, where a man shot and killed four people at a homeless encampment. The third shooting occurred in Spokane, where a man killed four people and injured two others.

The shootings this weekend are the latest in a long line of gun violence across the United States. In 2020, there were over 20,000 gun-related deaths in the United States, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

The shootings this weekend have reignited the debate over gun control in the United States. Advocates of gun control argue that stricter gun laws are needed to reduce gun violence, while opponents argue that restricting access to firearms would infringe on the Second Amendment rights of Americans.

The victims of the shootings this weekend will be remembered by their families and friends, and the nation will continue to grapple with the issue of gun violence in the days and weeks ahead.