NEWTOWN, Conn. – An 18-year-old teen was killed and a dozen others were wounded by a mass shooting incident that took place during homecoming weekend at Tuskegee University in Alabama. According to the Gun Violence Archive, this is the 455th mass shooting of 2024.
Authorities have arrested and charged a 25-year-old individual with possession of a handgun with a semi-automatic gun conversion device, also known as an automatic sear. These small devices, which enable full military-style automatic fire, cost as little as $20 online and can be produced via 3D printing.
Over the past weeks, there have been several mass shootings throughout the nation at homecoming events and other youth-related activities. Additionally, illegal firearm conversion devices have been another deadly trend this fall.
In response, 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:
“Our nation’s young people deserve to have a life free from the threat of gun violence. They deserve to be kids. But these precious coming-of-age moments are being stolen from us. No family should ever have to know this pain, and no community should ever have to experience the trauma that mass shootings create. My heart is with the Tuskegee University community, with all those who are grieving, as well as those who are injured and must now heal from this senseless tragedy.”
“We must come together to recognize the warning signs of violence and get help for those who may be in crisis. We must also call upon our state leaders and law enforcement agencies to continue their push to stamp out illegal firearm modifications and enact legislation that enables and supports upstream violence prevention.”
To learn more about how you can help advocate for sensible policies and bring violence prevention programs to your community, 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