U.S Independence Day violence kills at least 33

People wave U.S national flags on the National Mall to celebrate Independence Day in Washington, D.C on July 4, 2022. [Xinhua]

As the United States was celebrating 248 years of independence, shootings and other forms of violence during the extended Fourth of July weekend left at least 33 people dead ="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/america/article/2001492759/us-report-68000-guns-illegally-trafficked-by-unlicensed-dealers-over-5-years">across the country<, local authorities said.

As of Friday morning, the Fourth of July holiday saw 11 people killed and 55 wounded in shootings in Chicago alone, the Associated Press reported, citing a Chicago Sun-Times report as saying.

The recent violence "has left our city in a state of grief," said Mayor of Chicago Brandon Johnson.

Two people were killed and three others injured in Huntington Beach, California, in an Independence Day attack after a fireworks show ended, local police said.

Three shootings broke out in Boston at approximately 1:30 a.m. ="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001479941/4752-us-children-killed-by-guns-in-2021#google_vignette">local time Friday<, resulting in one fatality.

Historically, the Fourth of July period is one of the year's deadliest in the United States. Last year, there was a spate of shootings around the holiday, leaving over a dozen dead and more than 60 injured.