Newtown, CT — Yesterday, a 16-year-old female student and 14-year-old male student were killed and three others were injured after an armed student opened fire in the quad before classes started and then shot himself. This is the 30th shooting attack at a school this year.
In response to this tragedy, Sandy Hook Promise issues the following statement:
“My heart aches as we see more students killed and injured, and another community reeling from a school shooting. Schools should be among the safest places in our communities. For that to happen, we must teach students the warning signs that point to increased potential for violence,” said 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. “Knowing the signs and having trusted adults and anonymous reporting systems in place are critical to reversing the deadly trend of violence in schools and preventing these tragedies from happening.”
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. We are led by several family members whose loved ones were killed in the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012 that claimed the lives of 20 first-graders and 6 educators. Sandy Hook Promise is focused on preventing gun violence (and all violence) BEFORE it can happen by educating and mobilizing parents, schools, and communities on mental health and wellness programs that identify, intervene, and help at-risk individuals. SHP is a moderate, above-the-politics organization that supports sensible non-policy and policy solutions that protect children and prevent gun violence. Our intent is to honor all victims of gun violence by turning our tragedy into a moment of transformation. Make the Promise at www.sandyhookpromise.org.
Media Contact: Dini von Mueffling Communications
Stephanie Morris | [email protected] | 646-650-5005