There have been two mass shootings in the United States over this past weekend — one in El Paso, Texas, and the other in Dayton, Ohio. They occurred less than 24 hours apart. It is also just days after a gunman killed three people at a garlic festival in California.
BREAKING: At least 9 killed and 16 injured after mass shooting in Dayton, Ohio; suspect also dead.
This follows a mass shooting attack in El Paso, Texas, on Saturday, and comes 1 week after the California garlic festival mass shooting attack. //t.co/OLD7y2hUP1
— NBC News (@NBCNews) August 4, 2019
In Texas, 20 were killed and at least 26 were injured. The suspected 21-year-old white man shooter was arrested. The authorities are looking into a manifesto the suspect may have written, which reflects anti-immigrant beliefs. An off-duty soldier was present at the scene. He shared how he grabbed children and carried them to safety. Beto O’Rourke in his speech said. “There is no luxury in this democracy of sitting this one out, whether it is gun violence, whether it is many of the issues we discuss today … It is on every single one of us to make this right.” Governor Greg Abbott described the attack as “one of the most deadly days in the history of Texas”. The Texas shooting is the second to occur in a Walmart store this week after a disgruntled ex-employee of the company killed two at a Mississippi branch on Tuesday. Walmart CEO Doug McMillon posted on Instagram: “I can’t believe I’m sending a note like this twice in one week. My heart aches for the community in El Paso.”
Today’s shooting in El Paso, Texas, was not only tragic, it was an act of cowardice. I know that I stand with everyone in this Country to condemn today’s hateful act. There are no reasons or excuses that will ever justify killing innocent people….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 4, 2019
In Ohio, nine people were killed and the shooter, along with 27 injured. Local media site WHIO informed the shooting took place at or near East Fifth Street. Police are currently investigating the attack and seeking witnesses.
We have a responsibility to the people we serve to act. The @SenateGOP must stop their outrageous obstruction & join the House to put an end to the horror and bloodshed that gun violence inflicts every day in America. //t.co/3ff8Y2xtf3
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) August 4, 2019
As per the New York Times, the shootings mark the 31st and 32nd mass shootings in the US in 2019. Former Vice President Joe Biden shared, “enough is enough,” and described the shootings as “a sickness.” Pope Francis offered his prayers for the dead and the injured, and has urged everyone “to join my prayer for the people who lost their lives, the injured and their family members.”