The events that have taken place in Chicago over the past months certainly deserve no glorification.

Easter, to many, is a time to celebrate. However, in Chicago many affected by the growing gun violence were mourning. More than 40 people were shot during the holiday weekend, alone. Included in that 40 are, sadly, children. Five to be exact. As they played at a park on the city’s south side, a drive by shooting occurred. According to police, someone in a vehicle on Sunday evening pulled up to the children, all 15 years old or younger, who were walking from a park. Someone inside the vehicle asked them if they belonged to a particular gang and shortly after, opened fire — hitting an 11-year-old girl in the neck.

Also on the south side, the bodies of two teenagers, aged 16 and 18, were found inside of an apartment. While definitely included, the shootings were not all gang-related. Another shooting that occurred over the weekend was an apparent murder-suicide involving a Cook County Sheriff’s correctional officer who apparently shot and killed his wife before turning the gun on himself.

Eight people have died over Easter weekend. Each of these horrific events have something that ties them all together: gun control. That’s why federal officials have decided to step in.

According to a report on Huff Post by Chicago’s very own Kim Bellware:

Randall Samborn, a spokesman for local U.S. Attorney Zachary Fardon, told the Tribune the 16-member Violent Crimes unit will use a combination of drug and gun statutes along with extortion and money laundering laws to go after “criminal crews” that commit shootings and other acts of violence.

-Jamaal Fisher (@jamaalfisher)