Everytown, Texas Moms Demand Action Respond to Mass Shooting in West Texas

Initial Reports Indicate at Least Five People Were Shot and Killed, at Least 21 People Wounded

ODESSA, Texas — Everytown for Gun Safety and the Texas chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, a part of Everytown for Gun Safety, released the following statement in response to a shooting spree in West Texas that left at least five dead and 21 wounded, including three law enforcement officers. After an attempted traffic stop, the shooter drove off and began shooting at random, hijacking a U.S. Postal Service vehicle in the process. The shooter, a male reportedly in his 30s, died during an exchange of gunfire with police officers in the parking lot of a local movie theater in Odessa.

Last night, at least ten people were wounded in a shooting during a high school football game in Mobile, Alabama.

“While we don’t know all the facts, we do know one thing for sure: This isn’t normal,” said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety. “Laws will not prevent all mass shootings, but they are a critical piece of reducing the scourge of gun violence gripping our country. The House has done its part to reduce gun violence — now the Senate must act.”

“Whether shopping, attending a football game or driving down the street, we should all be able to live without the fear of being shot,” said Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. “It is shameful that the Senate’s inaction comes with a body count. It is past time for the Senate to pass background checks on all gun sales and a strong red flag law — and to do it today.”

“We’re devastated to learn of another unfathomable shooting in our communities so soon after the horrific shooting in El Paso,” said Hilary Whitfield, a volunteer with Texas chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. “We shouldn’t have to live like this. We demand our lawmakers take action on the gun violence in this country because lives are on the line.”