Everytown, Washington D.C. and New York Moms Demand Action, Students Demand Action Respond to Shootings of Five People Experiencing Homelessness

The Washington D.C. and New York chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety, released the following statement after five people experiencing homelessness were shot – two of them fatally – in Washington D.C. and New York City throughout March. Both police departments have identified the same suspect and believe the shootings were targeted. 

“Our city and their residents deserve more than this disgusting, targeted violence on some of our most vulnerable neighbors,” said Lisa Gordon, a volunteer with the Washington D.C. chapter of Moms Demand Action. “As we learn more, our hearts are with the families and communities who have had someone stolen from this gun violence. We’re committed to fighting to make sure this targeted violence stops.”

“We should be able to live in the greatest city in the world without fear of gun violence but too often gun violence takes our neighbors, friends and loved ones without any recourse,” said Sonni Mun, a volunteer leader with the New York chapter of Moms Demand Action. “Here again, we are seeing the most vulnerable in our society being targeted by someone filled with hate and armed with a gun. We must do better to keep all New Yorkers safe from this public health epidemic.”

New York Mayor Eric Adams, a co-chair of Mayors Against Illegal Guns, and Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, a member of Mayors Against Illegal Guns, will host a joint press conference to address the shootings tonight at 6 p.m. ET. 

Statistics about gun violence in New York are available here, and statistics about gun violence in Washington D.C. are available here.