NEWTOWN, Conn. – Two adults and three school-age children were killed inside a home Monday morning in Fall City, Washington, according to law enforcement officials. Officials have confirmed that the tragedy involved firearms and is being described as a “family incident.” A 15-year-old was taken into custody following the tragedy, and he is expected to make an appearance in court this week. At this time, it is unknown how the firearms were used or obtained.
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:
“My heart is with the family and community affected by this tragedy. Our nation’s epidemic of gun violence continues to destroy communities and every place where we should feel safe.
“It’s imperative that we work together toward solutions that keep dangerous weapons out of the hands of young adults who may be at risk of hurting themselves or others. While we wait to learn more details in this situation – one thing is clear: we can all be a part of the change to prevent gun violence by learning warning signs of violence and responding to potential threats.
“Given the perpetrator in this tragedy is only 15, we strongly encourage an investigation into his social media usage. As we highlight in our UnTargeting Kids report, gun manufacturers often partner with social media influencers to market their weapons to kids unable to purchase or own a firearm in ways that normalize violence, create fear or suggest firearms are the only solution to feeling safe and powerful over others. Evidence shows that social media can have an outsized influence on teen brains. Gun influencers and gun marketing should not be reaching vulnerable teenagers who can’t separate fact from fantasy, and investigators should examine whether this may have been an important factor in this case.”
To learn more about how you can help raise awareness about warning signs, 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