Three mass shootings have rocked America in the space of a week. First, dozens of revelers at Gilroy Garlic Festival in California were left injured, with a further three people killed when a gunman opened fire. Two of the victims were children. Then, the following Saturday on August 3rd, back to school shoppers at a Walmart in El Paso were targeted in a deliberate attack that claimed the lives of 22 people. As if these senseless acts weren't enough, the community of Dayton, Ohio, were left reeling when another gunman fired into crowds in the city's Oregon area. Nine people were fatally shot, including 27-year-old working mom Lois Oglesby.

According to Atlanta News Now, Oglesby had two daughters, but her loss extends beyond just her family. As a childcare worker, the dedicated mom touched many lives, including those of the children she looked after. A close friend, Derasha Merrett, grew up with Oglesby and had entrusted her baby to Lois' daycare. Merrett praised her friend, saying she "loved her kids unconditionally." Sadly, Lois had just returned to work from maternity leave and was looking forward to broadening her prospects. Alongside working in childcare, the young woman was enrolled in nursing school and hoped to further her career by helping more children in the future.

Oglesby isn't the only mother to lose her life to gun violence this week. In El Paso, Jordan Anchondo was shopping for birthday party decorations for her 6-year-old daughter when the assailant entered the building, randomly shooting into the crowd. She was accompanied by her husband, Andre, and her 2-month-old baby. Jordan died shielding her son from the shots, while her husband perished after standing in front of both of them. While the newborn sustained some broken bones as a result of a fall, he survived and will make a full recovery.

While police are still trying to find motives for these three separate incidents, they're calling them acts of "domestic terrorism." It's thought that each of the three gunmen may have had an interest in white supremacy. Investigations are ongoing.

Our thoughts go out to all of those affected by the senseless tragedies.

Related: Mom Who Died In El Paso Terrorist Attack 'Gave Her Life' To Save Her 2-Month-Old Son