So far in 2017, there have been 14,490 gun-related violence incidents in the United States. Brooklyn-born photographer Kathy Shorr captures portraits of gun violence survivors (101 total, ages 8 to 80) — most of them photographed in the location where they were shot. These images are captured in the new book SHOT: 101 Survivors of Gun Violence in America, released by powerHouse Books on April 4. From the publishing company:
The increasing ubiquity of gun violence has become the norm across the world and particularly in the United States, where we have begun to hear horror after horror on a daily basis. So much so that it has started to produce a numbing effect, a helplessness that allows us to hear the news and say, “Here we go again,” and put it out of our mind. Gun violence is now something we expect to happen.
Shorr’s portraits are emotional, but show the survivors defiant in the face of the violence inflicted upon them. See a preview of SHOT in our gallery.
From SHOT: 101 Survivors of Gun Violence in America by Kathy Shorr, published by powerHouse Books
“The first time Isiah was shot he was hit three times, once in the chest. A group of strangers had pulled up to his car and started firing. The second incident resulted from a dispute between two groups at a club. Johnson was leaving the club and saw some of the arguing men in a car. Telling his date to go back inside, he started to drive away and was shot in the arm. Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 2014 and 2015”
From SHOT: 101 Survivors of Gun Violence in America by Kathy Shorr, published by powerHouse Books
“Early one evening Sahar Khoshakhlagh was strolling through Times Square with her cousin when she was hit. A police officer was pursuing someone else when he fired. Manhattan, New York, 2013”
From SHOT: 101 Survivors of Gun Violence in America by Kathy Shorr, published by powerHouse Books
“Megan Hobson was shot through the pelvis with an AK-47. Stopping to drop someone off, the car she was riding in was besieged by a hail of bullets. She lay on top of a toddler who was also in the car to protect the child. Hobson now walks with a limp. A gang initiation is believed to be the motive. Miami Gardens, Florida, 2012”
From SHOT: 101 Survivors of Gun Violence in America by Kathy Shorr, published by powerHouse Books
“During his freshman year at the University of Washington, Scott worked part-time in a record store. Three robbers entered the store and one of them shouted something. As he turned to the man, the thief fired, hitting Hayashi in the abdomen. He is now the Episcopal Bishop of Utah. Tacoma, Washington, 1972”
From SHOT: 101 Survivors of Gun Violence in America by Kathy Shorr, published by powerHouse Books
“Dallas deputy sheriff Shyrica Wesley was in a Walmart parking lot when her husband shot her and then killed himself. Garland, Texas, 2007”
From SHOT: 101 Survivors of Gun Violence in America by Kathy Shorr, published by powerHouse Books
“Standing with a group of friends outside of her high school, Karina became the unintended victim of a drive-by shooting fueled by gang revenge. She was 16. Aurora, Colorado, 2010”
From SHOT: 101 Survivors of Gun Violence in America by Kathy Shorr, published by powerHouse Books
“Antonius Wiriadjaja was struck by a random bullet as he walked down a crowded Brooklyn street. The intended target was the ex-girlfriend of the shooter. Brooklyn, New York, 2013”
From SHOT: 101 Survivors of Gun Violence in America by Kathy Shorr, published by powerHouse Books
“After stating that he planned to kill her, Marlys was shot through the heart by her husband of 41 years. Canoga Park, California, 1999”
From SHOT: 101 Survivors of Gun Violence in America by Kathy Shorr, published by powerHouse Books
“Shot through the forehead at point-blank range, Sara was sitting in her mother’s car when a carjacker stole it. He drove to a field and raped her, and then made her kneel down and count to ten before attempting to execute her. Kenner, Louisiana, 1994”
From SHOT: 101 Survivors of Gun Violence in America by Kathy Shorr, published by powerHouse Books
“James lost the lower part of his leg after talking to a rowdy guest at a birthday party. The guest, a former military man, returned to the party, placed a shotgun on Armstrong’s calf and fired. He then turned the gun on Armstrong’s friend, killing him. When he put the gun to the head of a second friend, it jammed. Bozeman, Montana, 2013”