NEWTOWN, Conn. – A mass shooting at Elizabeth City State University in North Carolina early Sunday morning left one person dead and six others wounded. The attack took place in the center of campus at an event that closed out the historically Black university’s Viking Fest celebration. The 24-year-old man that was killed is reportedly not a student at the university.
Four injured individuals were struck by gunfire, and two others sustained injuries while escaping the scene.
North Carolina’s gun death rate has increased by 39% over the past decade, based on most recent available finalized data from CDC. According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been at least 15 mass shootings where four or more have been killed or injured (excluding the shooter) in North Carolina in the past year.
In response to this attack, Nicole Hockley, co-founder and co-CEO of Sandy Hook Promise and mother of Dylan who was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy, issued the following statement:
“The toll of this trauma robs our society of so much – from the young man whose life was taken, to the opportunity for students to enjoy a celebratory gathering without the terror of gun violence. It’s a terrible tragedy that no one should ever have to endure, and we must come together to change this awful reality. We stand with Elizabeth City State University, all of the loved ones now grieving, the injured, and the community in condemning this senseless act of violence. And we call on everyone to join us in doing all we can to prevent gun violence.
“By learning the warning signs of violence and looking out for one another to keep each other safe, mass shootings and other harmful acts can be prevented. Beyond that – equipping young people with the skills to peacefully resolve conflicts, as well as supporting safe firearm access to keep guns out of the hands of those who wish to cause harm, will save lives and stop tragedies.”
For more information about proven programs that prevent violence by teaching youth and adults to ‘know the signs’ and look out for one another, as well as actions everyone can take to advocate for a safer future, 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