Gun control and gun rights advocates around the U.S. have begun to respond to reports of multiple fatalities following a shooting at Santa Fe High School in Texas.
This is the 22nd school shooting in the U.S. just 20 weeks into the year, as CNN pointed out Friday morning.
President Donald Trump tweeted about the shooting shortly after news reports rolled in.
“School shooting in Texas,” he said. “Early reports not looking good. God bless all!”
School shooting in Texas. Early reports not looking good. God bless all!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 18, 2018
Republican Rep. Randy Weber, who represents the district where the shooting took place, tweeted that he was praying for the situation.
My office and I are following the situation closely, and offering assistance and support. Praying for Santa Fe. https://t.co/zYin6eRiwE
— Randy Weber (@TXRandy14) May 18, 2018
Vice President Mike Pence and First Lady Melania Trump also made statements of support with Santa Fe High School.
“To the students, families, teachers of Santa Fe High School, all of those affected and the entire community: We are with you, you are in our prayers, and you’re in the prayers of the American people,” he tweeted.
To the students, families, teachers of Santa Fe High School, all of those affected and the entire community: We are with you, you are in our prayers, and you're in the prayers of the American people. pic.twitter.com/8bhPWyK7vR
— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) May 18, 2018
My heart goes out to Santa Fe and all of Texas today.
— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) May 18, 2018
For many, including student survivors from Parkland High School, politicians’ tweets were not enough. They were also outraged that another school, and countless students and families, have to go through what they did because no major strides in gun control have been made since the Feb. 14 shooting.
“Donald Trump does not care about school shootings,” Cameron Kasky, founder of March for Our Lives, tweeted. “Donald Trump does nothing to stop school shootings. Don’t talk to me about the ‘stop school violence act,’ because that does nothing to stop school shootings. Donald Trump does not care about you or your kids getting shot.”
Treating it like a sports game you sick bastard. https://t.co/kY3a61x4aN
— Cam Kasky (@cameron_kasky) May 18, 2018
At least 8 students have been shot and killed at Santa Fe High School.
Prepare to watch the NRA boast about getting higher donations.
Prepare to see students rise up and be called ‘civil terrorists’ and crisis actors.
Prepare for the right-wing media to attack the survivors.
— Cam Kasky (@cameron_kasky) May 18, 2018
Donald Trump does not care about school shootings.
Donald Trump does nothing to stop school shootings.
Don’t talk to me about the ‘stop school violence act,’ because that does nothing to stop school shootings.
Donald Trump does not care about you or your kids getting shot.
— Cam Kasky (@cameron_kasky) May 18, 2018
“This has been my fear since February 14th, that another mass casualty shooting would happen before we did anything,” Fred Guttenberg, father of Jaime Guttenberg, who was killed in the Parkland shooting, tweeted. “Now, we have 8 more children dead and our leadership in Washington has done nothing. We do not need thoughts and prayers, we need action and we need it now.”
This has been my fear since February 14th, that another mass casualty shooting would happen before we did anything. Now, we have 8 more children dead and our leadership in Washington has done nothing. We do not need thoughts and prayers, we need action and we need it now.
— Fred Guttenberg (@fred_guttenberg) May 18, 2018
Parkland survivor David Hogg tweeted shortly after the news of the shooting, “We are fighting for you.” He also tweeted that folks should get ready for “two weeks of media coverage of politicians acting like they give a shit when in reality they just want to boost their approval ratings before midterms.”
We are fighting for you.
— David Hogg (@davidhogg111) May 18, 2018
Get ready for two weeks of media coverage of politicians acting like they give a shit when in reality they just want to boost their approval ratings before midterms.
— David Hogg (@davidhogg111) May 18, 2018
Emma Gonzalez also tweeted about the shooting and said the school did not deserve the havoc it experienced Friday morning.
“Santa Fe High, you didn’t deserve this. You deserve peace all your lives, not just after a tombstone saying that is put over you,” she tweeted. “You deserve more than Thoughts and Prayers, and after supporting us by walking out we will be there to support you by raising up your voices.”
Santa Fe High, you didn’t deserve this. You deserve peace all your lives, not just after a tombstone saying that is put over you. You deserve more than Thoughts and Prayers, and after supporting us by walking out we will be there to support you by raising up your voices.
— Emma González (@Emma4Change) May 18, 2018
Other Parkland students also tweeted about the shooting and called for change.
my heart is broken for texas
— emilie (@evilemilie) May 18, 2018
My heart is so heavy for the students of Santa Fe High School. It’s an all too familiar feeling no one should have to experience. I am so sorry this epidemic touched your town – Parkland will stand with you now and forever. pic.twitter.com/ckVPxYi6qz
— Jaclyn Corin (@JaclynCorin) May 18, 2018
Politics aside, how many more have to die before we can change?#SantaFeHighSchool#NeverAgain
— Ryan Deitsch (@Ryan_Deitsch) May 18, 2018
https://twitter.com/sofiewhitney/status/997503513805680641
Our children are being MURDERED and you’re treating this like a game. This is the 22nd school shooting just this year. DO SOMETHING. https://t.co/Lc1IWYGssE
— Jaclyn Corin (@JaclynCorin) May 18, 2018
I should be celebrating my last day of high school, but instead my heart is broken to hear of the tragedy at Santa Fe. We cannot let this continue to be the norm. We cannot.
— Delaney Tarr (@delaneytarr) May 18, 2018
To everyone at Santa Fe high school ,I hope youre safe, I’m so sorry this is happening, and I’m so sorry that it continues to https://t.co/zLRbrizYiD one should be in the situation that youre all currently in. Im not going to say thoughts and prayers but instead policy and action
— Sarah Chadwick (@Sarahchadwickk) May 18, 2018
Hoping things get better. Hoping things can change. Don’t tell me that there isn’t a shooting problem in this country. The perpetuating gun violence we face is ridiculous. https://t.co/dHeXH5Fo9B
— Alex Wind (@al3xw1nd) May 18, 2018
Brandon Wolf, a survivor of the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida, tweeted about the shooting, as well.
“Eating breakfast, going to the movies, out dancing, sitting in church, going to school,” he tweeted. “All offenses punishable by gun death in America. Where the hell are our leaders?”
The country awakes to another school shooting. Thinking of all at Santa Fe High School.
Eating breakfast, going to the movies, out dancing, sitting in church, going to school. All offenses punishable by gun death in America. Where the hell are our leaders? https://t.co/tkgTTNb0hb
— Brandon Wolf (@bjoewolf) May 18, 2018
Eight people are confirmed dead at Santa Fe High School, with at least three injured being treated at local hospitals, according to CNN. The shooting occurred at 7:45am local time, and according to some witnesses began in an art class. The shooter was reportedly armed with a shotgun and likely a student at the high school, law enforcement officials said.