Lisa Wiltse for The New York Times

How did a coffee shop become a lightning rod for gun policy?

In August, Second Amendment supporters carried their firearms into a Starbucks in Newtown, Conn., for “Starbucks Appreciation Day,” prompting that location to close five hours early. “We recognize there is significant passion surrounding the topic,” read a sign posted on the front of the store. “However, we believe people should be sensitive to our community.”

The purpose of the stunt was to thank the company for allowing open-carry firearms in their stores, in accordance with local and state gun laws. But a few months prior, while waiting in line at a Starbucks in St. Petersburg, Fla, a woman accidentally shot her friend in the leg when she dropped her purse, which held a fully loaded .25-caliber semi-automatic handgun.

Yesterday, Starbucks chief executive Howard Schultz attempted to diffuse the issue by writing an open letter asking customers to please leave their guns at home, unless they are authorized law enforcement personnel. The reason, he wrote, was because “we believe our store partners should not be put in the uncomfortable position of requiring customers to disarm or leave our stores.” He also asked that “Starbucks Appreciation Days” come to an end. “The presence of a weapon in our stores is unsettling and upsetting for many of our customers,” he wrote, which undermines the relaxing atmosphere he is trying to create.

However, Schultz conceded that his plea “is a request and not an outright ban,” because “enforcing a ban would potentially require our partners to confront armed customers.” And this only applies to guns displayed openly. Concealed-carry firearms are still permitted.

Here is today’s report.

—Jennifer Mascia

Two men were shot and wounded in La Jolla, Calif., early Wednesday. Steven Dowdy, 53, a biologist and the suspected shooter’s former business partner, and Ron Fletcher, 50, the suspect’s estranged brother-in-law, were shot in their homes at around 3 a.m. Fletcher was able to grab hold of the .45-caliber weapon and clobbered his attacker in the head. Hans A. Petersen, 49, a biotech executive who helmed several start-up companies, was arrested on suspicion of attempted homicide.

—U-T San Diego

Vivian Gallego Martinez, 51, and her daughter Anabel Benitez, 28, were shot and killed in a home in Miami, Fla., Wednesday morning. The suspect, 48-year-old Antonio Feliu, led police on a chase that resulted in a woman’s death in a car crash. The suspect eventually died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

—CBS Miami

Three serious shootings occurred within an hour in Indianapolis, Ind., Wednesday night, leaving each of their victims in critical condition. One of the victims was shot multiple times on the city’s east side at around 9 p.m., another victim was shot in the chest at 10 p.m., and at the same time a woman was shot multiple times on the city’s northeast side. There is no word as to whether the three shootings are connected.

—TheINDYChannel

A mother of five was found shot to death inside a home on the west side of Rockford, Ill., Wednesday afternoon. The woman, 27, was found bleeding to death at a duplex just after 4:00 p.m. Police are questioning a person of interest.

—WIFR.com

One person was killed and three others were critically injured when two cars pulled up to a crowd of people outside an apartment building and someone inside opened fire in the Whitehaven community of Memphis, Tenn., Wednesday night. Another shooting victim may be in a nearby wooded area. The victims were reportedly related.

—WREG

Two men, ages 43 and 56, shot each other dead during a road rage incident in Ionia, Mich., Wednesday evening. After being followed by a Ford Taurus, the driver of a PT Cruiser pulled off the road to let the car pass, but the driver of the Taurus got out of his car and began shooting. The driver of the PT Cruiser also pulled out a gun, returning fire, and both drivers were killed.

—WZZM 13

A teenager was shot in the leg during an altercation stemming from a street basketball game in Hermitage, Tenn., Wednesday evening. Two others were grazed by ricocheting bullets. Police detained a person of interest after stopping a car that left the scene.

—The Tennessean

A man was shot in the leg and wounded when he and two sheriff’s deputies tried to serve an eviction notice in a gated community in San Ramon, Calif., Wednesday afternoon. The alleged shooter surrendered after a four-hour standoff with a SWAT team.

—CBS San Francisco

A 43-year-old man was shot multiple times and wounded in his car in Waterbury, Conn., Wednesday night. Police are searching for the suspect, who fled the scene on foot.

—WTNH.com

A 55-year-old man was killed and 33-year-old man was injured following a shooting in northwest Phoenix, Ariz., Wednesday afternoon. Police received a call from a 60-year-old woman who said her boyfriend and son were shot. No word on what led to the shooting.

—AZFamily.com

An exchange of gunfire between two groups of people in Dayton, Ohio, left a 25-year-old man in critical condition Wednesday night. Witnesses told police the groups had been chasing each other through the neighborhood. No one has been taken into custody.

—WHIOTV.com

A man was wounded in a shooting in south Seattle, Wash., Wednesday morning. Police say the victim was shot after getting into an argument with a group of men while he was smoking marijuana at a neighborhood park. The wounded man has been uncooperative with police. Officers found about 25 shell casings at the scene.

—The Seattle Times

A 22-year-old man was shot twice and wounded in the Gentilly neighborhood of New Orleans, La., Wednesday afternoon. No further information is available.

—Nola.com

42-year-old Daryle Mosley was shot in the leg and wounded in Decatur, Ala., Tuesday evening. 18-year-old Jaylen Williams was arrested and charged with second-degree assault. The victim and suspect apparently knew each other. No word on a motive.

—AL.com

A 27-year-old man was dropped off at a house and shot multiple times in the Sheraden neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pa., Tuesday night. Police found about 30 shell casings in the area. The victim could lose a leg and part of his intestines, and suffered damage to his spine. Lenell Ptomey, 30, was charged with attempted homicide. Police said the shooting may be drug-related.

—TribLive

Houston Hale Parker, 31, was discovered lying dead at an Ensley, Fla., intersection Wednesday afternoon. A neighbor heard three shots. “When the sun goes down, I go in my house,” said 83-year-old Ozella Betts, who said the neighborhood became dangerous five years ago. Police are investigating.

—PNJ.com

A 29-year-old man suffered a gunshot wound to the head in Athens, Ohio, Tuesday afternoon. The victim is unable to talk to investigators.

—AthensOhioToday.com

A teenaged boy was shot and wounded in the parking lot of a Chick-Fil-A in Jonesboro, Ark., Wednesday night. Police said they are not seeking a suspect.

—KAIT 8

Juan Jesus Garcia, 22, was found dead in a convenience store parking lot in Moses Lake, Wash., Tuesday night. A 23-year-old woman and six-year-old boy were in the victim’s car when he was shot, but were not wounded. Police are searching for Anthony R. Vasquez, 23.

—The Spokesman-Review

According to Slate’s gun-death tracker, an estimated 8,290 people have died as a result of gun violence in America since the Newtown massacre on December 14, 2012.