Earlier today in Richmond, there was yet another tragedy in America involving gun violence:
Two people were killed and at least five other people were shot following Huguenot High School’s graduation ceremony outside the Altria Theater in Richmond, Virginia, Crime Insider sources told Jon Burkett. Two people were taken into police custody after a shooting.
“I’ve now been told by multiple sources that there 10 victims, five of them are gunshot victims,” Burkett reported on CBS 6 News. “The other five are those that were hurt running back inside to the Altria Theater when shots rang out.”
Just horrible. See below for some reactions from Virginia elected officials, including Sen. Tim Kaine (“My heart breaks to see this horrific tragedy in my hometown. I’m sickened that a high school graduation—an occasion that should be joyous—has turned into unimaginable violence. We can’t keep living like this. We’ve got to take action to keep our kids safer.”); Sen. Mark Warner (“Closely monitoring this situation in Richmond. This is an extremely alarming situation, and I’m thinking of all first responders and victims.”); State Sen. Ghazala Hashmi (“Heartbreaking news of another mass shooting— in our beloved city. I am following the developments closely and praying for all those who are in the Altria / Monroe Park and VCU area”); Pastor, Richmond City Council member and Democratic House of Delegates candidate Michael Jones; Rep. Jennifer McClellan (“This is heartbreaking. My staff & I are closely monitoring this situation. Praying for the safety of everyone involved.”); Del. Jeff Bourne (“Gun violence is the leading cause of death for kids and teens. Don’t give us your thoughts and prayers now when you refuse to come to the table on common sense reforms.”); etc.
On a very different – and jarring – note, check out the video below for the bizarre response by far-right Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears, which Virginia Democrats slammed as follows:
- “VA’s proud AK-47 wielding LG just hijacked an informational police press conference about a horrific Richmond high school shooting to attack Democrats instead of console victims in hospital fighting for their lives” – Sen. Scott Surovell
- “So @WinsomeSears shows up to a crime scene in which students were shot and she wants to blame city leaders & police. However, she doesn’t want to do anything to stop the flow of guns in this area. How sick to take this opportunity to politicize peoples pain. Do better.” – RVA City Council member, Pastor and Virginia House of Delegates Democratic candidate Michael Jones
- “Days after 19 children & 2 adults were killed in Uvalde, Sears went to TX to defend the NRA. Now just mere minutes after a mass shooting in our city, she is on tv to inflict more trauma. “The people I [with emphasis] represent are not safe,” she says. She’s ready to defend guns.” – Sen. Ghazala Hashmi
What on earth?
My heart breaks to see this horrific tragedy in my hometown. I’m sickened that a high school graduation—an occasion that should be joyous—has turned into unimaginable violence.
We can’t keep living like this. We’ve got to take action to keep our kids safer. https://t.co/H1n1g6AmcT
— Tim Kaine (@timkaine) June 6, 2023
Closely monitoring this situation in Richmond. This is an extremely alarming situation, and I’m thinking of all first responders and victims. https://t.co/LD1EvQwK16
— Mark Warner (@MarkWarner) June 6, 2023
Heartbreaking news of another mass shooting— in our beloved city. I am following the developments closely and praying for all those who are in the Altria / Monroe Park and VCU area. https://t.co/i4vmt0vhIP
— Ghazala Hashmi (@SenatorHashmi) June 6, 2023
This is heartbreaking. My staff & I are closely monitoring this situation. Praying for the safety of everyone involved.
I encourage everyone who can to avoid the area. https://t.co/kqofnDMAuq
— Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (@RepMcClellan) June 6, 2023
So @WinsomeSears shows up to a crime scene in which students were shot and she wants to blame city leaders & police. However, she doesn’t want to do anything to stop the flow of guns in this area. How sick to take this opportunity to politicize peoples pain. Do better. pic.twitter.com/kd7teJsJRz
— Michael Jones (@thedrmikejones) June 6, 2023
Republican Lieutenant Governor, Winsome Sears follows the press conference after Mayor Stoney left with utter disrespect she made this political by bringing up gangs, bail, and gun owners. pic.twitter.com/K0lZTHTt07
— Goad Gatsby (@GoadGatsby) June 6, 2023
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