Biden decries mass shooting in Raleigh, North Carolina

Washington, Oct 15

US President Joe Biden decried the mass shooting in Raleigh, North Carolina.

"Enough. We've grieved and prayed with too many families who have had to bear the terrible burden of these mass shootings," Biden said in a statement on Friday.

"Too many families have had spouses, parents, and children taken from them forever," he added.

"There are too many mass shootings across America, including ones that don't even make the national news."

Raleigh police have identified five victims of the shooting that occurred in a residential neighbourhood on Thursday evening, including an off-duty police officer. Two other people were wounded, including another officer.

The suspect, described as a 15-year-old White male, was taken into custody on Thursday evening and is said to have been in critical condition, Xinhua news agency reported.

More details about the identity of the shooter have not been released due to his age.

Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin tweeted on Friday afternoon that "there are several families in our community who woke up this morning without their loved ones".

"We grieve with them today," Baldwin wrote.

"No family should ever have to feel this pain."

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has ordered flags flown at half-staff to "mourn the victims killed in a horrific and infuriating act of violence".

Gun violence has led to nearly 35,000 deaths across the US so far this year, according to the latest data from Gun Violence Archive.