As COVID-19 ravages US, shootings, killings are also up

Dec 29, 20200

Armando L. Sanchez, Chicago Tribune count

FILE - In this Sept. 7, 2020 file photo, police work the scene where a 8-year-old girl was killed and two adults were shot when someone shot into a car in Chicago. In Detroit, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia and even smaller Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Milwaukee, 2020 has been deadly not only because of the pandemic, but because gun violence is spiking.

DETROIT - When Andre Avery drives his commercial truck through Detroit, he keeps his pistol close.

Avery, 57, grew up in the Motor City and is aware that homicides and shootings are surging, even though before the pandemic they were dropping in Detroit and elsewhere. His gun is legal, and he carries it with him for protection.

"I remain extremely alert," said Avery, who now lives in nearby Belleville. "I'm not in crowds. If something looks a little suspicious, I'm out of there."

https://www.startribune.com/as-covid-19-ravages-us-shootings-killings-are-also-up/600004606/