The world woke up today to find out a teenage gunman had killed at least 19 students and two teachers at an elementary school in Texas, a U.S. news story that leaves one feeling numb but far from shocked at this point.
The incident is one of the deadliest mass shootings at a school in the country’s history, and the deadliest school shooting in the U.S. since Sandy Hook in 2012.
The outpouring of grief and anger has been swift and vehement, with thousands of calls to action. Celebrities have been typing into the void, hoping that maybe this time something will finally be done about gun violence.
Former president Barack Obama – who was president when Sandy Hook happened – posted a long string of tweets about the shooting. Across the country, parents are putting their children to bed, reading stories, singing lullabies – and in the back of their minds, they’re worried about what might happen tomorrow after they drop their kids off at school, or take them to a grocery store or any other public space,” he wrote.
Current president Joe Biden of course also spoke about the shooting, asking, “Why? Why are we willing to live with this carnage?”
Taylor Swift shared a clip of an emotional speech given by NBA coach Steve Kerr, before writing, “Filled with rage and grief, and so broken by the murders in Uvalde. By Buffalo, Laguna Woods and so many others. By the ways in which we, as a nation, have become conditioned to unfathomable and unbearable heartbreak. Steve’s words ring so true and cut so deep.”
Also from the NBA, LeBron James shared his frustration: “My thoughts and prayers goes out to the families of love ones loss & injured at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, TX! Like when is enough enough man!!! These are kids and we keep putting them in harms way at school. Like seriously “AT SCHOOL” where it’s suppose to be the safest!
Take a look below at some of the other strongest reactions from notable media, celebrity, and political figures to the terrible Texas shooting:
Across the country, parents are putting their children to bed, reading stories, singing lullabies—and in the back of their minds, they’re worried about what might happen tomorrow after they drop their kids off at school, or take them to a grocery store or any other public space.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) May 25, 2022
2-day Twitter outrage doesn’t cut it. When you step into the voting booth this fall, VOTE GUN CONTROL.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) May 24, 2022
I know. And now the politicians will come out and lie and say THIS TIME WE DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! But they know they can’t. Because Republicans don’t give a fuck, and until Buckley v Valeo is reversed, the Democrats are powerless to fight the NRA. https://t.co/BpizHxNgpE
— 🕉🇺🇦🟦Stevie Van Zandt☮️💙 (@StevieVanZandt) May 24, 2022
Filled with rage and grief, and so broken by the murders in Uvalde. By Buffalo, Laguna Woods and so many others. By the ways in which we, as a nation, have become conditioned to unfathomable and unbearable heartbreak. Steve’s words ring so true and cut so deep. https://t.co/Rb5uwSTxty
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) May 25, 2022
hearing so many people say this elementary school shooting in uvalde texas is unimaginable when it's the most imaginable thing in america.
— hasanabi (@hasanthehun) May 24, 2022
Today in my home state of Texas 18 innocent students were killed while simply trying to get an education. A teacher killed doing her job; an invaluable yet sadly under appreciated job. If children aren’t safe at school where are they safe?
— Selena Gomez (@selenagomez) May 25, 2022
republicans will force you to have your kid but will do absolutely fucking nothing to keep them safe
— Dylan O'Brien (@dylanobrien) May 24, 2022
My thoughts and prayers goes out to the families of love ones loss & injured at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, TX! Like when is enough enough man!!! These are kids and we keep putting them in harms way at school. Like seriously "AT SCHOOL" where it's suppose to be the safest!
— LeBron James (@KingJames) May 24, 2022
