Important Takeaways:

• July 4 warning: FBI issues alert over attackers targeting holiday celebrations
• The security organizations say the biggest threats are lone offenders and small groups, who may have a larger agenda, and find large events such as holiday gatherings “attractive” targets, according to a bulletin.
• “The political environment of the country certainly doesn’t help,” Aaron Katersky, a security correspondent, told ABC News. “The police are being told by the FBI and Department of Homeland Security to be on watch for these types of things that are notoriously difficult to guard against.”
• Katersky added that big cities including New York and San Francisco are likely potential targets.
• He added that citizens should proceed with caution, however they should not panic.
• According to the Gun Violence Archive, mass shootings on the Fourth of July have steadily increased over the past three years.
• The organization tallied a total 80 mass shootings that occurred over the past three years between July 1-7, according to Mark Bryant, the executive director of the nonprofit that tracks US shootings.
• The group defines a “mass shooting” as a shooting that kills or injures four or more people, not including the shooter.
• Last year, in 2023, there were 28 mass shootings over the July 4th week, followed by 27 in 2022 and 25 in 2021.
• The researchers found that days with high heat saw an 18 percent increase in violence among inmates.
• Hot weather increases body temperature, which in turn increases heart rate and blood pressure.
• Increased blood pressure and heart rate can lead to discomfort, which researchers say explains how high heat leads to increased anger and violence.

Read the original article by clicking here.