The North Carolina chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, released the following statement after a mass shooting in Raleigh on Thursday night left five people dead, including a teenager and an off-duty police officer. At least two others were shot and wounded. According to reports, the gunfire broke out around 5:00 p.m. in a residential neighborhood of Hedingham, causing panic in nearby areas. The suspect, a 15-year-old, was taken into custody hours after the shooting began. According to data from the Gun Violence Archive, last night’s shooting was the deadliest incident of gun violence in Raleigh so far this year.
“Our hearts are broken for our community and for all of those impacted by this horrific act of gun violence,” said Megan Delaney, a volunteer with the North Carolina chapter of Moms Demand Action. “This is the world the gun lobby has created — one where we have to live in fear that gunfire can break out in our communities at any moment. We stand with Mayor Baldwin and Governor Cooper in their calls for state lawmakers to take action on gun safety – North Carolina families are depending on it.”
The impacts of a mass shooting stretch far beyond those killed and wounded, affecting survivors, families, and entire communities. Mass shootings represent only a fraction of the gun violence that affects North Carolina communities on a daily basis.
In an average year, 1,470 people die by guns in North Carolina, and 3,530 more are wounded. This incident of gun violence will cost North Carolina $51.5 million, of which $2.2 million will be paid by taxpayers. More information about gun violence in North Carolina is available here.
If you would like to speak to a volunteer with North Carolina Moms Demand Action or Students Demand Action, please do not hesitate to reach out.
