Americans don't even blink an eye when they hear of a mass shooting, which is like every day. It's part of the background of the American Dream. And that is the America that Donald Trump wants to preserve and make great, because he supports all kinds of right-wing white-Christian-supremacist neo-Nazis, all of whom have guns. Trump is considering testing immigrants (only white Christian ones of course) on their knowledge of this prestigious American tradition of mass shootings.
Mass shootings are now a choreographed folkloric exhibition every time they happen. There are User's Guides and Manuals which feature such activities as "shelter in place", "duck under furniture", etc.
Wikipedia details one of those online manuals on how to participate (usually as a victim) in a mass shooting. It says:
The standard operating procedure involves three key steps: RUN, HIDE, and FIGHT. If possible, individuals should evacuate the area, find a secure place to hide, and as a last resort, confront the shooter if their life is in immediate danger.
In the event of a mass shooting, it is crucial to follow a standard procedure to maximize safety. The recommended actions are summarized in three key steps: RUN, HIDE, and FIGHT.
In the event of a mass shooting, it is crucial to follow a standard procedure to maximize safety. The recommended actions are summarized in three key steps: RUN, HIDE, and FIGHT.
RUN - Evacuate Immediately: If it is safe to do so, leave the area as quickly as possible.
Be Aware of Your Surroundings: Look for exits and escape routes.
Create Distance: Move away from the threat to minimize risk.
Be Aware of Your Surroundings: Look for exits and escape routes.
Create Distance: Move away from the threat to minimize risk.
HIDE - Find a Secure Location: If evacuation is not possible, seek a place to hide.
Create Barriers: Use large objects to block the shooter's access.
Stay Quiet: Turn off lights and silence phones to avoid detection.
Create Barriers: Use large objects to block the shooter's access.
Stay Quiet: Turn off lights and silence phones to avoid detection.
FIGHT - Last Resort: If confronted by the shooter and no other options are available, prepare to fight back.
Be Aggressive: Use any available objects as improvised weapons.
Commit to Your Actions: Act decisively to protect yourself and others.
Stay Informed: Keep updated on emergency procedures specific to your location, such as workplaces or schools.
Report Suspicious Behavior: If you notice concerning actions from individuals, report them to authorities to help prevent potential violence.
By adhering to these steps, individuals can enhance their chances of survival during a mass shooting festival.
Commit to Your Actions: Act decisively to protect yourself and others.
Stay Informed: Keep updated on emergency procedures specific to your location, such as workplaces or schools.
Report Suspicious Behavior: If you notice concerning actions from individuals, report them to authorities to help prevent potential violence.
By adhering to these steps, individuals can enhance their chances of survival during a mass shooting festival.
Always after a mass shooting, you will see local leaders (sheriff, police, emergency personnel, etc.) lining up to give a speech for the media. People spontaneously organize vigils and flower-laying, emotional hugging scenes, television interviews ... Just like Hollywood award ceremonies, these local leaders congratulate each other on their performance and give thanks to those who helped them perform according to the standard operating procedure. Mass shootings have really become a unique American institution.
Come to think of it, these mass shootings are heirs to the American wild west. It sometimes looks like nothing has changed from the 19th century, except cars have replaced horses, and the congratulatory ceremony is delivered to electronic media instead of newspapers. The substance of the institution, i.e. the killing of innocent people, remains essentially the same in the name of liberty.
Watch: https://www.gunviolencearchive.org/ for more gun violence entertainment.
Police search for second suspect following Seattle food festival shooting that killed 3
Associated Press
Mon, July 27, 2026
Police searched for a second suspect Monday after gunfire erupted at a crowded food festival beneath Seattle's Space Needle, leaving three people dead and four others wounded, including a toddler. Another suspect was earlier arrested.
Investigators believe the two suspects were shooting at each other Sunday and, although one remained on the loose, Assistant Seattle Police Chief Tyrone Davis told a news conference Sunday night that there was no ongoing threat to the public.
Police did not have a description of the outstanding suspect, he said.
"We're still trying to figure this out," Davis said. Police did not immediately respond to phone and email messages early Monday.
Two people died at the scene and a third died at a hospital. They were described as two men, ages 19 and 44, and a 56-year-old woman.
The four wounded, including a 2-year-old boy, were hospitalized and in stable condition early Monday, police said. The rest of the wounded were adults. Davis couldn't say if any of the victims were involved in the confrontation.
The gunfire erupted around 6 p.m. Sunday in the waning hours of the Bite of Seattle, an annual three-day festival that draws hundreds of food and retail vendors and performers.
Dozens of officers were providing security at the event and some saw one of the suspects firing, Davis said. One suspect surrendered at the scene, but the other fled. Law enforcement searched the grounds to no avail.
A large number of police and emergency crews responded and began evacuating the area around the sprawling Seattle Center campus.
Faith Adia Hunter said she and her friends had just gotten food from a crepe vendor when gunfire broke out. She realized a shooter was near them. She and others found shelter in the nearby Seattle Children's Museum.
"We were right next to him when it started so we took off running," Hunter said. "So we took off running too into the building with the crowd."
In the chaos, many vendors bolted toward the exits, abandoning their food stands. Hours afterward, some milled outside the police tape, wondering when they would be allowed to return to collect their tents, food and cooking gear.
Roberto Ramirez, a vendor at the event, said he heard what sounded like firecrackers before people began yelling "shooter" and frantically running.
"Suddenly everything was empty," he said. "People were freaked out."
After the initial panic, new guests continued to arrive unaware of what had happened and were told by police to leave, he said.
Estan Wakonabo said he and his girlfriend were at the festival waiting in line for a photo booth when he was shoved from behind and he turned to see a rush of people fleeing.
"People were hiding, were pushing, people were falling on the ground, baby strollers were falling," Wakonabo said, adding that was when he heard gunshots.
"Once I heard a 'pop, pop, pop,' that's when I knew it was a shooter," he said.
After he escorted his girlfriend to safety, he returned to the scene to take photos and saw multiple victims on the ground, Wakonabo said.
The festival started in 1982 and draws 350,000 attendees, according to its website.
___
Associated Press journalists Manuel Valdes and Lindsey Wasson in Seattle, Annika Wolters in Bangkok and Christopher Weber in Los Angeles contributed to this report.
=====================================================
Police search for second suspect following Seattle food festival shooting that killed 3
Associated Press
Mon, July 27, 2026
Police searched for a second suspect Monday after gunfire erupted at a crowded food festival beneath Seattle's Space Needle, leaving three people dead and four others wounded, including a toddler. Another suspect was earlier arrested.
Investigators believe the two suspects were shooting at each other Sunday and, although one remained on the loose, Assistant Seattle Police Chief Tyrone Davis told a news conference Sunday night that there was no ongoing threat to the public.
Police did not have a description of the outstanding suspect, he said.
"We're still trying to figure this out," Davis said. Police did not immediately respond to phone and email messages early Monday.
Two people died at the scene and a third died at a hospital. They were described as two men, ages 19 and 44, and a 56-year-old woman.
The four wounded, including a 2-year-old boy, were hospitalized and in stable condition early Monday, police said. The rest of the wounded were adults. Davis couldn't say if any of the victims were involved in the confrontation.
The gunfire erupted around 6 p.m. Sunday in the waning hours of the Bite of Seattle, an annual three-day festival that draws hundreds of food and retail vendors and performers.
Dozens of officers were providing security at the event and some saw one of the suspects firing, Davis said. One suspect surrendered at the scene, but the other fled. Law enforcement searched the grounds to no avail.
A large number of police and emergency crews responded and began evacuating the area around the sprawling Seattle Center campus.
Faith Adia Hunter said she and her friends had just gotten food from a crepe vendor when gunfire broke out. She realized a shooter was near them. She and others found shelter in the nearby Seattle Children's Museum.
"We were right next to him when it started so we took off running," Hunter said. "So we took off running too into the building with the crowd."
In the chaos, many vendors bolted toward the exits, abandoning their food stands. Hours afterward, some milled outside the police tape, wondering when they would be allowed to return to collect their tents, food and cooking gear.
Roberto Ramirez, a vendor at the event, said he heard what sounded like firecrackers before people began yelling "shooter" and frantically running.
"Suddenly everything was empty," he said. "People were freaked out."
After the initial panic, new guests continued to arrive unaware of what had happened and were told by police to leave, he said.
Estan Wakonabo said he and his girlfriend were at the festival waiting in line for a photo booth when he was shoved from behind and he turned to see a rush of people fleeing.
"People were hiding, were pushing, people were falling on the ground, baby strollers were falling," Wakonabo said, adding that was when he heard gunshots.
"Once I heard a 'pop, pop, pop,' that's when I knew it was a shooter," he said.
After he escorted his girlfriend to safety, he returned to the scene to take photos and saw multiple victims on the ground, Wakonabo said.
The festival started in 1982 and draws 350,000 attendees, according to its website.
___
Associated Press journalists Manuel Valdes and Lindsey Wasson in Seattle, Annika Wolters in Bangkok and Christopher Weber in Los Angeles contributed to this report.
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