Newtown, CT — Last week, eight people were killed in Indianapolis, when a 19-year-old opened fire with two assault rifles at the FedEx Ground Plainfield Operations Center. While the motive behind the tragedy is still being investigated, the shooter displayed multiple warning signs that were reported by his family, including suicidal ideation to complete “death by cop,” and prompted a previous seizure of a shotgun by law enforcement. This is the third mass shooting in Indianapolis and the 153rd in the U.S. in 2021.
In response to this tragedy, Nicole Hockley, co-founder and managing director of Sandy Hook Promise and mother of Dylan, who was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy issued the following statement:
“I grieve with the victims’ families and all those mourning the eight lives tragically taken on Thursday. The pain and trauma of gun violence never really goes away. Anguish turns to fury when the reported warning signs go unchecked. Extreme Risk Protection Orders (aka Red Flag laws) might have saved these eight precious lives if used appropriately. We must invest in helping more communities understand life-saving legislation like this and Expanded Background Checks that will prevent tragedies like this from continually happening across the country.”
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About Sandy Hook Promise
Sandy Hook Promise (SHP) is a national nonprofit organization with a mission to end school shootings and create a culture change that prevents violence and other harmful acts that hurt children. Through its life-saving, evidence-informed Know the Signs prevention programs, SHP educates and empowers youth and adults to recognize, intervene, and get help for individuals who may be socially isolated and/or at risk of hurting themselves or others. Through nonpartisan policy and partnerships, SHP advances gun safety, youth mental health, and violence prevention education at the state and federal levels that protect all children from gun violence in their schools, homes, and communities. 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. Learn more at www.sandyhookpromise.org
Media Contact:
Aimee Thunberg, Senior Director, Communications, Sandy Hook Promise | [email protected] | 646-761-5579