NEWTOWN, Conn. – Twelve people were injured, eleven of them by gunfire, when a shooting took place near a football stadium in Tallahassee, Florida during homecoming weekend for Florida A&M University. Six of the injured victims are juveniles, including an 11-year-old.
Law enforcement’s investigation indicates that a fight occurred before the shooting. A 15-year-old was arrested in connection with the shooting and will be charged with multiple counts of attempted second-degree murder.
According to a CNN analysis, there have been at least three other instances of shootings on school campuses in the United States during football or homecoming events this year.
In response, Nicole Hockley, co-founder and CEO of Sandy Hook Promise and mother of Dylan who was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy, issued the following statement:
“Homecoming should be defined by celebration, community connection, and school pride – not devastating gun violence. We stand with the victims, their families, and the entire Florida A&M University community who are now enduring the unimaginable pain of this senseless incident. It is heartbreaking that six children were caught in this act of violence, robbed of their sense of safety at an event meant for joy.
“From college campuses to neighborhood block parties and beyond, mass violence is tearing through moments meant to unite our communities. We cannot continue to allow conflicts to turn into mass casualty events. We must equip our young people with the skills to navigate and resolve arguments safely, while simultaneously being vigilant for warning signs of potential violence and reporting potential threats. Committing to the secure storage of firearms is also crucial for limiting access by underage and unauthorized users.
“Violence is preventable. We owe it to our young people to intervene before a dispute escalates into a tragedy, so they can gather, learn, and celebrate without fear.”
For more information about gun violence prevention, resources for how communities can heal after a tragedy, and ways to support bipartisan policies that are proven to save lives, please visit sandyhookpromise.org.
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Sandy Hook Promise (SHP) envisions a future where all children are free from school shootings and other acts of violence. As a national nonprofit organization, SHP’s mission is to educate and empower youth and adults to prevent violence in schools, homes, and communities. Creators of the life-saving, evidence-informed “Know the Signs” prevention programs, SHP teaches the warning signs of someone who may be in crisis, socially isolated, or at-risk of hurting themselves or others and how to get help. SHP also advances school safety, youth mental health, and responsible gun ownership at the state and federal levels through nonpartisan policy and partnerships. SHP is led by several family members whose loved ones were killed in the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012.
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Nick Dmitrovich | [email protected] | 203-304-9780 Ext. 279