Shooting Took Place as Spanish-Language Church Service was Beginning
HOUSTON, Texas. — The Texas chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, released the following statements in response to a shooting yesterday at Lakewood Church outside of Houston. While details are still emerging, reports indicate that two people were injured in the shooting, and the long-gun-wielding female shooter was killed just as a Spanish-language service was beginning.
“We mourn the lives ripped apart by a heinous act of gun violence while attending church on a Sunday afternoon,” said Deanna Hollas, a volunteer with the Texas chapter of Moms Demand Action, and PCUSA Minister Ordained to Gun Violence Prevention. “Empty thoughts and prayers from our lawmakers as we attend worship services are insulting. Our lawmakers aren’t valuing our children, created in God’s image, as much as they do the gun lobby. And that causes a crisis of faith.”
“Our places of worship should be sanctuaries of safety, free from the threat of gun violence,” said Diana Galindo, a volunteer with the Texas chapter of Moms Demand Action. “Yet, we seem to be in an endless cycle of gun violence taking the lives of our neighbors while our lawmakers do absolutely nothing to prevent it. We do not and should not have to live this way. We demand action from our leaders to prioritize saving Texan lives.”
In an average year, 3,996 people die by guns in Texas, and 5,556 more are wounded. Guns are the leading cause of death among children and teens in Texas. More information on gun violence in Texas is available here.
If you are interested in speaking with a Texas Moms Demand Action or Students Demand volunteer, or a policy expert please reach out to [email protected].