NEWTOWN, Conn. – Two separate mass shootings involving young people occurred over the weekend at events in Texas and Oklahoma, taking two teenage lives and injuring dozens of others. Both shootings occurred during parties where teenagers and young adults were gathered.
In Amarillo, Texas, two teenagers, aged 16 and 17, were killed and 10 others were injured after two people began shooting at an apartment complex where a party was taking place. The condition of the injured victims was not released, and police are searching for the suspects.
In Edmond, Oklahoma, just outside of Oklahoma City, at least 18 people, ranging in ages 16 to 30, were hospitalized after a shooting occurred during a party at Arcadia Lake – some in critical condition. At least 23 people in total were injured. Police are searching for the suspect and additional information.
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:
“Every parent’s worst nightmare is the thought that their child might not return home safely, whether it’s after a night out with friends, or any other activity that young people deserve to enjoy without the fear of being shot. But far too many families and loved ones understand this nightmare intimately. Gun violence is stealing away our precious children and denying them the opportunity to simply live their lives. My heart is with the victims of these senseless shootings and the communities of Amarillo and Edmond – no one should ever experience this. We must come together to create the future that our children deserve.
“Sometimes, all it takes is the space of a moment to stop a tragedy and save a life. It could be a friend reaching out to help when noticing one of the warning signs that signal someone may be in crisis or risk of harm. Or it could be as simple as a securely stored firearm that creates a moment of pause before an impulsive act. These little moments can make all the difference.
“Although we don’t know all the circumstances surrounding these two recent shootings, we do know that violence is preventable when we recognize and act on warning signs – and when firearms are kept out of the hands of people who are at risk of misusing them to cause harm. These are important steps on the path to a safer future, and a better life for our nation’s youth.”
For more information about gun violence prevention, resources for how communities can heal after a tragedy, and information about life-saving firearm access policies, 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