FORT PIERCE, Fla. — It's been a violent start to the new year in the United States with more mass shootings than days that have occurred so far this year.
The Gun Violence Archive, a database that tracks an array of gun violence, reported 39 mass shootings in the U.S. this month with five occurring in Florida.
Among the mass shootings in Florida was the one that took place in Fort Pierce on Jan. 16, claiming the life of a 29-year-old mother and injuring seven others.
Mark Bryant, who founded the Gun Violence Archive in 2013, spoke with WPTV and the surge in violence this month.
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"I watched all your video from the one that occurred in your neck of the woods, and you know everybody just looks too darn comfortable with gunshots going around, and that makes me think things are going to be worse, more often," Bryant said.
Anger is one thing that Bryant points to when looking for underlying reasons
"It really boils down to simple math," Bryant said. "More people have more guns, each capable of carrying 30-, 60-round magazines. It's really boiling down to math, more people more guns, more anger."
Criminologist and author Dr. Debbie Goodman in Miami said gunmen may also be spurred on by other shootings.
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"For me as a criminologist, they are very purposeful and sometimes it's enough of a tipping point," Goodman said. "When they do see others have done it, and now they're in the spotlight, so to speak."
That leaves many struggling with the stress and anxiety of a violent first month and wondering where it will lead.
"I do believe strongly as a criminologist that we should always be mindful daily of safety, security and survival," Goodman said.
A $10,000 reward is now being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual or individuals responsible for the Fort Pierce shooting.
That second reward comes after the $5,000 reward initially offered by Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers.