Gabrielle Giffords Responds to California Shooting
November 14, 2017 — Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, Co-Founder of the gun violence prevention organization Giffords, today responded to the tragic shooting in Tehama County, California that has left five people dead so far at multiple locations, including at an elementary school.
STATEMENT BY CONGRESSWOMAN GIFFORDS:
“Americans should not have to wonder if they will get shot as they sit in a classroom trying to learn or out on the streets running an errand. Our nation must do better.
“In the aftermath of this most recent mass shooting in Tehama County California, and the days ahead, my heart is with the victims, their families, and friends as they deal with this tragedy. My prayers are also with the first responders who put their lives on the line to protect their community.
“This is not normal. Terrifying scenes of violence routinely unfold in the places where we live and work. Every single day more than 90 Americans are killed with a gun in our country. In 2016, the number of guns death spiked to 38,000. This has been the 35th mass shooting – including the horror in Texas – since the massacre in Las Vegas took the lives of 58 people and injured hundreds more.
“Americans should be able to play at recess, gather in a church, and attend a concert without the fear of gun violence. We can build a safer future for our children. But we can’t do that until the president acknowledges our gun violence problem and Congress stands up to the gun lobby and takes action to save lives. We can’t wait another day.”
What we know about this shooting so far:
- Authorities say 5 people people have been killed in shootings at multiple locations in rural Northern California, the shooter has been killed by law enforcement. Students also were shot and wounded at an elementary school: Tehama County Assistant Sheriff Phil Johnston did not have a total number of victims, but said that “a number” of students had been medically evacuated from the scene. [ Record Searchlight ], [ AP ], [ Scripps National Desk ], [ LA Times ]
- According to the sheriff’s office, the incident began at a house and moved to Rancho Tehama School where several shots were fired sometime before 9 a.m. [ NBC Bay Area ]
- Officers are investigating five scenes in the vicinity of the school. There are currently 100 law enforcement personnel on scene. [ NBC Bay Area ], [ NBC Bay Area ]
- “I know that we have (airlifted) a number of students,” Assistant Sheriff Phil Johnston told KCRA. “I know that the school’s been cleared. I know that we have children that were attending school in a safe location at this time.” [ NBC Bay Area ]
- The gunman was shot and killed by police. [ Scripps National Desk ]
EXPERTS AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS The following firearms law and law enforcement experts are available for interviews:
- Peter Ambler, Executive Director, Giffords
- Robyn Thomas, Executive Director, Giffords Law Center
- Allison Anderman, Managing Attorney, Giffords Law Center
- David Chipman, Former ATF Agent, Senior Policy Advisor, Giffords
- Laura Cutilletta, Legal Director, Giffords Law Center
- Ari Freilich, Staff Attorney, Giffords Law Center
- Robin Lloyd, Director of Government Affairs, Giffords
- Lindsay Nichols, Federal Policy Director, Giffords Law Center
- Adam Skaggs, Chief Counsel, Giffords Law Center
- Hannah Shearer, Staff Attorney, Giffords Law Center