The Minnesota chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, released the following statement after reports that one student was killed and one was critically wounded in a shooting outside the South Education Center in Richfield, Minnesota. Details are still developing.
“Our hearts are with the families of those impacted in today’s shooting at the South Education Center,” said Molly Leutz, a volunteer with Moms Demand Action in Minnesota. “Students should not have to live in fear of gun violence in their schools or in their communities. We must do more to protect Minnesotans from gun violence.”
In an average year, 462 people die and 680 people are wounded by guns in Minnesota. Firearms are the leading cause of death among children and teens in Minnesota. Black children and teens in Minnesota are 3 times more likely than their white peers to die by guns. Gun violence costs Minnesota $2.9 billion each year, of which $83.3 million is paid by taxpayers.
Learn more about gun violence in Minnesota here.