Six Police Officers Were Shot, Including at Least One Fatally, in Less Than Two Hours Across Three Separate Incidents in Florida and Pennsylvania Last Night
Across the Country in 2017, at Least 135 Law Enforcement Officers Have Been Shot, 25 of Them Fatally
NEW YORK – Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, responded to news that six police officers were shot, including at least one fatally, in less than two hours last night across three separate incidents in Florida and Pennsylvania.
In Kissimmee, Florida, one officer died and the other remains in “very grave” condition. Four other police officers were struck by gunfire within two hours Friday night, including two officers in Jacksonville, Florida and two Pennsylvania State Troopers in Fairchance, Pennsylvania.
According to Everytown for Gun Safety research, there have been at least 135 police officers shot in America so far this year. In those incidents, 25 officers were shot and killed, and an additional 110 officers have been shot and injured.
STATEMENT FROM SHANNON WATTS, FOUNDER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:
“The shootings last night are a tragic reminder of the dangers law enforcement face as they work to keep our communities safe. My thoughts are with the family of the officer killed, as well as with the five officers shot and injured and their families. Although details are still unfolding, we know that there is so much more we can do to prevent senseless gun violence. The best way that we can protect and support law enforcement officers is to fix the lax gun laws that make their jobs more dangerous. We must demand that our lawmakers work with us to better protect those who serve us.”