Newtown, CT — On May 7th, nearly a week following the deadly shooting at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, two students at STEM School Highlands Ranch, a K-12 school approximately seven miles from Columbine High School, opened fire on their peers, killing one and injuring eight others. The victims are all students, 15 years of age and up, and many are listed in critical or serious condition. One 18-year-old male lost his life in the tragedy.
In response to this tragedy, Sandy Hook Promise issued the following statement:
“Within a week’s time, we have yet again witnessed another school shooting. One student lost their life, while another eight will forever be reminded by the physical and emotional scars that they will endure. Our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected, especially the family of the student who lost his life and wish those who have been injured a quick recovery. The other students in the school may have walked away physically unharmed, however, each of them lost some of their innocence and a sense of safety that every child should have in their school. Being in a school marred by a shooting casts a long shadow of fear and pain that students and their educators and parents will live with forever,” said Nicole Hockley, co-founder and managing director of Sandy Hook Promise and mother of Dylan who was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting. “While warning signs have yet to be reported, we urge everyone to learn the signs and signals of someone at-risk and to say something when we spot them. Knowing the signs can help saves lives and ensure that someone in crisis can get the help that they need before violence can occur.”
To date, more than 7.5 million people nationwide have been trained in Sandy Hook Promise’s proven Know the Signs programs that focus on prevention to help end the epidemic of gun violence by training youth and adults how to identify at-risk behavior and intervene to get help before a tragedy can occur. Through these no-cost programs, Sandy Hook Promise has averted multiple school shooting plots, teen suicides, and countless other acts of violence.
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About Sandy Hook Promise: Sandy Hook Promise (SHP) is a national nonprofit organization based in Newtown, Connecticut. 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. SHP’s mission is to prevent gun violence and other forms of violence and victimization BEFORE they happen by creating a culture of engaged youth and adults committed to identifying, intervening, and getting help for individuals who might be at risk of hurting themselves or others. SHP is a moderate, above-the-politics organization that supports sensible program and policy solutions that address the “human-side” of gun violence by preventing individuals from ever getting to the point of picking up a firearm to hurt themselves or others. Our words, actions and impact nationwide are intended to honor all victims of gun violence by turning our tragedy into a moment of transformation. For more information, visit www.sandyhookpromise.org or call 203-304-9780.
Media Contact: Dini von Mueffling Communications
Stephanie Morris | [email protected] | 646-650-5005