NEWTOWN, Conn. – Three teenagers were killed, and 16 other people were injured by gunfire in a mass shooting that took place outside of a nightclub in Indianola, Mississippi early Sunday morning. Local officials report that all three of the deceased victims were 19 years old, and that the injured victims were either shot or struck by ricochet bullets. No suspects are yet in custody and a motive for the shooting remains undetermined.
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 hearts are broken for the families shattered by this senseless tragedy in Indianola, and for all of the injured victims that now must endure the pain of recovery. Instead of returning home safely after a night out, three young lives were destroyed by gun violence that should have been prevented. No family should ever have to go through this. We offer our deepest condolences to the victims, their loved ones, and the entire community grappling with this unimaginable loss.”
“This issue of gun violence affects every single one of us throughout our nation. This is a public health epidemic. Prevention is possible – but only if we come together to address this crisis with solutions that are proven to work.”
“Guns are currently the leading cause of death for young people in Mississippi. In 2021, the state had the highest firearm death rate in the U.S for all ages. Mississippi lacks critical gun safety laws including enhanced background checks, secure storage, restrictions on certain semi-automatic rifles, and temporary transfer measures. These laws, as well as our school-based violence prevention programs, have been proven to prevent gun violence. Sandy Hook Promise urges elected officials to prioritize passing these laws to protect communities from gun violence.”
“We must work with one another, across all divides, to enact reforms that prioritize safety and prevent tragedy. That is how we honor the memory of these young lives, by delivering a future where every school, home, and community is free from the threat of gun violence.”
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.
Media Contact:
Nick Dmitrovich | [email protected] | 219-552-4258