Chicago Shooting: 4 Passengers Killed as Gunman Opens Fire in Transit Train

Chicago: In a tragic incident, four individuals were fatally shot on a train in Chicago, on Monday according to police. The suspect was quickly apprehended following the mass shooting, 

Police responded to a 911 call on the wee hours of Monday morning and arrived at the Forest Park train station to find the victims. "Three victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while the fourth was taken to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, where they were later pronounced deceased," the police statement reported.

Gun violence is a persistent issue in the United States, where there are more firearms than people. Efforts to regulate gun rights face strong political opposition.

Based on surveillance footage, Chicago police issued a description of the suspect. The individual was soon apprehended, and a firearm was recovered, the statement noted. "This appears to be an isolated incident with no immediate threat to the community," the police said.

Chicago's extensive public transportation system serves over 317,000 passengers on an average weekday, according to the Chicago Transit Authority.

"It's a horrible situation, especially on a holiday Monday," said police official Christopher Chin, referencing the Labor Day holiday in the US.

This year alone has seen at least 378 mass shootings, defined as incidents involving at least four victims across the United States, according to the Gun Violence Archive. The archive also reports that at least 11,463 people have died from firearm violence this year.

In June, the US Surgeon General issued a landmark advisory declaring gun violence a "public health crisis" and calling for comprehensive firearm regulations that have historically faced significant political resistance.

Recent data shows that firearms have become the leading cause of death for Americans aged 1 to 19, surpassing motor vehicle accidents.