7 killed in Christmas Eve violence across US

At least seven people were killed on Christmas eve due to sporadic violence across the US, officials said.

In Wilson county, North Carolina, the local sheriff's office said four people were shot dead on Saturday evening, Xinhua news agency reported. The victims were identified as a mother and a son with their respective boyfriend and fiance.

The motive behind the attack was not ascertained.

In Memphis, Tennessee, a shooting near a supermarket resulted in one death and another is in critical condition.

The shooting took place at a neighbourhood where frequent gang-related violence occurs.

In Pearl, Mississippi, a shooting incident killed two and injured one.

Local police said a 22-year-old man and a 17-year-old girl, who were dating, were killed while the girl's father was injured.

Police said the younger man was the suspected shooter and his fatal wound was self-inflicted.

In Johnston, Rhode Island, what seemed to be a domestic dispute turn violent and led to the death of a girl.

Police said the father of the girl, who sustained non-life-threatening stabbing wounds, was the suspected shooter.

In a mall in Lynnwood, Washington, a man who was trying to break up a brawl was stabbed by one of the persons involved in the fight.

Police have taken the 19-year-old perpetrator into custody.

In St. Petersburg, Florida, police are looking into a double shooting that may have left one critically injured.

--IANS

ksk