On Tuesday, a teenager killed 19 children and two adults in a mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, in the second-deadliest school shooting in United States history. The suspect also is alleged to have shot his grandmother before fleeing the scene.
The tragedy followed another mass shooting when another teenager, motivated by white supremacy, opened fire in a Buffalo, New York, supermarket last Saturday and killed 10 people while injuring three more. Of the 13 victims, 11 were Black.
So far in 2022, there have already been 27 school shootings across the country, and 119 since Education Week began tracking them in 2018. While there is no consensus on what should be considered a mass shooting, there has already been 199 in the U.S. this year alone, according to NPR.
Many athletes and coaches have already spoken out about the gun violence, including Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts, who shared his heartbreak on Twitter and called for the government to make gun law changes:
I’m still trying to understand why 2 weeks ago 10 ppl were killed in a Buffalo grocery store & today 18 children and 1 adult were killed at an elementary school in Texas. As a parent, I’m heartbroken! Gun Laws must be changed. Mental Illness is real! This is not ok #WeAreTired
— Mookie Betts (@mookiebetts) May 25, 2022
The Dodgers and Washington Nationals were among the several professional sports teams to hold a moment of silence for the victims and families prior to their game. The Nationals asked their followers on social media to join in the moment of silence.
“Our thoughts are with the victims, survivors, and all of those affected by the horrific event at Robb Elementary School in Texas today,” the Dodgers said in a statement. “There is no place in our country for this type of senseless violence.”
MLB issues statement condemning mass shooting
Major League Baseball also released its own statement following the tragic events in Texas.
“Our hearts are broken tonight. Major League Baseball mourns with the families and friends of the victims of today’s senseless tragedy and for all the people of Uvalde, Texas.”
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