Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords Statement on the One Year Anniversary of the Texas’ Santa Fe High School Shooting

May 17, 2019 — Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, the leader of the gun violence prevention organization Giffords , released the following statement ahead of the one year anniversary of the Santa Fe High School shooting in Texas, which will be marked on Saturday, May 18.

“Nearly one year ago, the community of Santa Fe, Texas was rocked by a tragedy that has become all too familiar. An armed individual stalked hallways and classrooms, filled the air with gunfire, made students fear for their lives, and forever altered a community. America has become a country where horrific acts like this happen again and again. I will never forget hearing students in Santa Fe tell the world ‘that we always knew it would eventually happen, it was just a matter of when.’

“Today, we mourn with the families that will never be the same. We extend our hearts to everyone in Santa Fe still wrestling with wounds that have not healed. What happened here is a shameful reminder that we’ve allowed gun violence to become a numbing and persistent threat for students. Our children deserve better. It’s on us to give them a safer future free of the nightmares gun violence brings.”

Related Resources from Giffords:

• Report: The Truth About School Shootings: This report seeks to dispel dangerous myths about school shootings and what can and should be done about them.
• Report: Protecting the Next Generation: This report examines the life-altering implications for the children who witness or survive shootings, particularly with regard to their mental health.