Convicted Felon in Adjacent Room Discharged Gun and Killed Innocent Teen Visiting the Area for a Soccer Tournament
In response to the tragic shooting of a 13-year-old soccer player, fatally shot and killed in a North Carolina hotel room by a convicted felon in the adjacent room, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America released the below statements.
While details are still unfolding, the shooter is a previously convicted felon and was recently released from prison in October. His lengthy criminal record – including multiple felony and domestic violence convictions – prohibits him from firearm possession. The victim, 13-year-old Nathan Clark, was an innocent child visiting the area with his family for a local soccer tournament.
STATEMENT FROM KAAREN HALDEMAN, VOLUNTEER, NORTH CAROLINA CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA
“With a heavy heart, we send our deepest condolences to the family of Nathan Clark. While we don’t know all the details, we do know that shootings like this cannot become the new normal for parents here in North Carolina and around the country. While the gun lobby continues to fight against legislation that would keep guns out of dangerous hands and to weaken gun laws around the country, Moms will fight for safer gun laws to help stem the tide of gun violence that too often takes the lives of innocent children.”
STATEMENT FROM SHANNON WATTS, FOUNDER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA
“The news of this tragic shooting is gripping the hearts of Moms from around the country and we are sending our thoughts to the family of this innocent child. While we can’t bring back the life of this young boy, we can stand together in his memory and demand we do more to prevent these types of tragedies. The shooter – a convicted felon – reminds us of how easy it is for dangerous people to get their hands on guns in this country. It’s time we call on our elected officials to close the gaping loopholes in our system that allow felons, domestic abusers and the dangerously mentally ill to obtain a gun with no background check. This is a painful reminder of a life taken too soon by gun violence – among the 86 that are taken each and every day in America – and must result in tangible action that will help save lives.”
About Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America
Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America is a grassroots movement of American mothers fighting for public safety measures that respect the Second Amendment and protect people from gun violence. Moms Demand Action campaigns for new and stronger solutions to lax gun laws and loopholes that jeopardize the safety of our children and families. Since its inception after the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School, Moms Demand Action has established a chapter in every state of the country and along with Mayors Against Illegal Guns is part of Everytown for Gun Safety, the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country with more than 2.5 million members and more than 40,000 donors. For more information or to get involved visit www.momsdemandaction.org. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MomsDemandAction or on Twitter at @MomsDemand
