The United States is known for its freedom, strength, and unity. It’s a place that has been known to many people seeking to come to as an escape from places less fortunate.

However, in recent weeks, we have seen a significant increase in striking violence.

It’s undeniable that these events not only affected many people but should have instilled fear in us as a nation as well.

All these recent events reveal deeper cracks in our society.

Over the course of less than 20 days, all of the following horrific events occurred in our country:

August 22nd

Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zorutska, age 23, was riding a train in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her headphones in, seemingly not bothering anyone.

Zorutska was on her way home from work, seated in front of male Decarlos Brown Jr, who was a fellow passenger on the train.

Brown has a long criminal history, including felony larceny, armed robbery, assault, shoplifting, making threats, and misusing the 911 system.

After an estimated 4-5 minutes into her ride, Brown stood up, revealing a knife, and then proceeded to stab Zorutska multiple times, including in the neck.

Many people were there, but none jumped in to help or attempt to rescue the victim.

After the attack, Brown fled the scene and can be heard saying, “I got that white girl.” With this statement, federal officials called the crime a “terroristic” attack.

She was pronounced dead on the scene, and Brown was later arrested, facing 1st-degree murder charges and a federal charge eligible for the death penalty.

September 10th

In Dallas, at approximately 9:30 in the morning, suspect Yordanis Cobos-Martinez, age 37, was arrested and charged with capital murder.

It was a typical morning at a hotel in Dallas before an argument occurred between Cobos and a coworker named Chandra Nagamallaiah, age 50.

After what witnesses described as a small altercation, Cobos sought his machete and then began hacking at the victim, Nagamallaiah.

Cobos continued to hit him multiple times, and Nagamallaiah even ran towards the office screaming for help before he was decapitated in front of people, two of whom were his son and wife, who were also screaming for help.

The suspect did the unimaginable and began kicking the victim’s head around the parking lot before picking it up and leaving it at the dumpster.

He then walked down the street covered in blood, along with the weapon in his hands, where he was arrested by the police.

Despite being armed, he did not put up a fight and even admitted to the murder.

Cobo is now in custody and is even being held for additional immigration.

According to a news article from wfaa.com, ICE officials said the suspect was being held in ERO Dallas at a detention center but was released on January 13th due to no available flights to Cuba.

Officials have no idea where Cobos has come from or the reasons for being here.

No additional information has been released about the next steps at this point in time.

September 10th

Well-known debater Charlie Kirk had an outdoor “Prove Me Wrong” debate at Utah Valley University on September 10th at 12 pm.

Kirk is highly republican and debates about politics and political beliefs/morals. This debate was supposed to be a comeback for his world tour.

Kirk was answering questions about gun violence and transgender shooters before he paused for a minute.

Within that pause, at exactly 12:20, shots were fired, hitting him in the throat. Kirk went limp, falling backwards almost immediately.

Kirk was surrounded by his 1-year-old son, 3-year-old daughter, two security guards, and his wife. The thousands of people there ducked before running away from the event after the fires went off.

The shooter was seen on a roof near the scene and jumped off, fleeing on foot. He was said to be about college age, wearing a ball cap and sunglasses.

Kirk was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.

September 10th

Just four minutes after Kirk’s assassination, there was a school shooting that took place in Evergreen High School in Colorado.

The suspect was a 16-year-old male, Desmond Holly, who attended the school.

The purpose behind this is unknown at the moment, but according to an article from cpr.org, Jacki Kelley, a public information officer, said the shots were “randomized and targeted.”

Holly shot two students, both inside and outside of the school, before he shot himself.

He was pronounced dead from self-inflicted wounds, but the two victims were hospitalized without further information on their condition.

Not any more information was announced on this case, but a warrant was sent out for Holly’s personal items.

Rest in peace, Charlie Kirk, Chandra Nagamallaiah, Iryna Zarutska, and prayers to the victims involved in the Colorado school shooting.