Senate Democratic Leadership Mourns Victims of Minneapolis Catholic School Mass Shooting

PHOENIX – Today, a shooter fired through the windows of a church in Minnesota, killing two children, wounding 14 others and three elderly parishioners, who were marking the first week of class at Annunciation Catholic School. Senate Democratic Leader Priya Sundareshan (LD18) and Assistant Leader Catherine Miranda (LD11) released the following statement:

“As a mother and more importantly as an American, I am heartbroken today,” Sundareshan said. “This country abandoned its moral compass when it decided that protecting the right to own firearms outweighed the shared responsibility of protecting our children so they could grow old in this country. Our caucus mourns alongside the families who have had their world shattered today and extends our strength to those watching their loved ones fight for their lives in hospital beds. Today’s victims deserved action from their representatives yesterday, and we remain committed to fighting for a day when no child has to fear for their lives in the classroom or in a church pew.”  

“Year after year, our caucus introduces legislation to keep guns out of the hands of those that seek to do harm to themselves or others, and each year they are ignored by Republican leadership in the legislature,” Miranda added. “We will continue to offer thoughts and prayers because our hearts hurt for the victims of these preventable tragedies, but it is time to deliver legislation that will finally place common-sense gun safety regulations above all. We are sending our love to those in Minneapolis and those across the country mourning this senseless act of violence. Our government has the power to stop this. We are the only developed nation in the world that must grapple with dead children in classrooms because our leaders are too afraid to prioritize our children over guns. This cowardice must end.”