Reports Indicate 5 People Shot and Killed, Including 3 Children
Shooting is at Least the 19th Mass Shooting in 2019 and 213th Since 2009
ELKMONT, Ala. — The Alabama chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, a part of Everytown for Gun Safety, released the following statement in response to reports that five people were shot and killed last night in a family home in Elkmont. The Limestone County Sheriff has reported that the victims were shot and killed by a family member who is in custody.
This shooting comes in the wake of several instances of gun violence over the weekend in Alabama. On Friday night, 10 teenagers were injured in a shooting at a football game in Mobile. On Saturday night, seven people were injured in a shooting at a parking lot in Valley.
“We are grieving for the five people whose lives were senselessly cut short in this tragedy, and the family and friends whose lives will be forever changed,” said Dana Ellis, volunteer leader with the Alabama chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. “We’re still reeling from the gun violence that has plagued Alabama and the country in recent weeks. No one should have to live in fear of gun violence, whether they are at home, at a football game or just walking down the street. We need to urge our lawmakers to take action to protect our communities.”
Research by Everytown for Gun Safety shows that this is at least the 213th mass shooting since January 2009, and the 19th mass shooting this year. Everytown defines mass shootings as those in which four or more people are shot and killed, excluding the shooter. An analysis of 173 mass shootings from 2009 to 2017 showed that 59 percent of mass shootings took place in private homes.