In a tragic incident, seven children between the ages of 12 and 17 were wounded in a mass shooting that took place outside a shopping mall in downtown Indianapolis late on Saturday night. The incident occurred near the Circle Centre Mall, with shots being heard by police officers patrolling the area shortly after 11:30pm.

Deputy Chief Tanya Terry of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department revealed that upon arriving at the scene, the officers discovered a large group of juveniles, six of whom had sustained gunshot wounds. These injured individuals were quickly transported to nearby hospitals for medical attention. Initially, one of the victims was in critical condition, but their condition has since been upgraded to stable. The other victims were listed as being in stable condition. However, the genders of the victims were not immediately provided.

In a concerning statement, Deputy Chief Terry expressed her frustration, stating, "Once again, we have a situation in which young people are resolving conflict with firearms, and it has to stop. Conflict should not lead to somebody pulling out a gun and trying to resolve it. The consequences are eternal."

Investigators believe that multiple guns were used in the shooting, indicating a potentially volatile situation. This incident adds to the growing number of mass shootings that have taken place across the United States this year. According to the nonpartisan Gun Violence Archive, the Indianapolis shooting marks the occurrence of over 90 mass shootings so far in 2021. The archive defines a mass shooting as an incident where four or more individuals are injured or killed.

The persistent issue of mass shootings in the United States has sparked renewed calls for stronger gun control measures. However, compared to countries with lower rates of violence, the implemented measures in the US are often considered lax.

As the investigation unfolds, authorities will work tirelessly to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice. The incident serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need to address the root causes of gun violence and ensure the safety and well-being of the nation's youth.