NEWTOWN, Conn. – The city of Birmingham, Alabama endured two tragic mass shootings over the weekend when separate, unrelated instances of gun violence unfolded. Four people were killed, and nine others were shot in a mass shooting at a nightclub mere hours after another shooting in the city killed three people in a vehicle, including a young child. Both of the investigations are ongoing, and no suspects are yet in custody as of Monday. Local authorities have said both shootings were targeted acts of violence.
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:
“In the wake of this weekend’s horrific shootings that claimed the lives of seven individuals, our hearts are broken for the families and loved ones of the victims. The Birmingham community is undoubtedly shaken by these senseless acts of violence. No one deserves to experience such tragedy, especially a young child. We encourage local authorities to continue their efforts in bringing those responsible to justice.”
“In the face of such immense grief, we stand united with Birmingham. We must come together as a community and as a nation to offer support to the families impacted by this unimaginable loss and work together to take a stand against the public health epidemic of gun violence to prevent future tragedies.”
“These incidents underscore the urgency of taking action. By taking an evidence-based approach that addresses the root causes of violence, learning the warning signs of gun violence, and advocating for comprehensive legislative solutions, we can create safer spaces for all and save lives. Together, we can honor the memory of the victims by working towards a future free from gun violence.”
Alabama has had at least 60 mass shootings since 2020 and guns are the leading cause of death for children in the state. Sandy Hook Promise urges all adults to advocate for sensible policy, including secure storage, temporary transfer, and student violence prevention curriculum in schools to help prevent gun violence and save lives. To learn more about how you can help, visit: https://www.sandyhookpromise.org/take-action/get-involved/.
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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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