Local officials' comments on weekend's mass shootings in Texas and Ohio

PITTSBURGH — Several local officials have offered comments on their own in response to two mass shootings that occurred this weekend.

In El Paso, Texas, 20 people were killed and dozens were injured after an individual starting shooting near a Walmart and shopping mall.

In Dayton, Ohio less than 24 hours later, a man started opening fire near a bar in a section of the city popular for nightlife.

Joint Statement from Pittsburgh Congregations -- Tree of Life, New Light and Dor Hadash:

All of us feel the pain and loss of loved ones in the senseless murders of innocent people across the nation. We are heartbroken, again, by this weekend's tragedies in El Paso and Dayton. It was approximately nine months ago that our community was targeted and affected forever by a hate crime. 
Last October, these and other cities across America shared their love and support with the people of Pittsburgh as we lost members of our congregations and cared for others who were injured and survived.

We know first-hand the fear, anguish and healing process such an atrocity causes, and our hearts are with the afflicted families and those communities. We mourn with the families and friends of the victims and all of the survivors in El Paso and Dayton. This epidemic of senseless acts of violence, prejudice and terror must end.

Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto:

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf: 

"Frances and I are mourning an especially horrific 24 hours of gun violence in America. We're praying for the victims of El Paso and Dayton, and two young women shot in Philadelphia last night. Many ills contribute to this rising violence. We can and must take action. We can ban assault weapons and institute stricter background checks. We can make communities safer. We can target white nationalism and promote tolerance. We can invest in mental health care and help those struggling. We cannot accept this violence as normal. We must act."

Pittsburgh Public Safety:

"Public Safety is deeply saddened by the senseless loss of life yesterday in El Paso, Texas and in nearby Dayton, Ohio. We are reminded yet again that the hatred that scarred Pittsburgh on Oct. 27, 2018 can strike anywhere and at any time. These events are, sadly, a part of modern American society and a part of modern police work."

"As always, Public Safety will rely on our Intelligence Units and on our close cooperation with local, state and national law enforcement agencies to detect and deter any similar type of terrorist activity being planned here. While we cannot discuss the specifics of our preparations, Public Safety is constantly planning and training for any and all types of incidents, including mass casualty shooting events. As part of those efforts, and as a result of the recent shootings, we have begun a reevaluation of precautions and planning for mass gatherings in the City of Pittsburgh."

"Of course, we cannot do it alone. As always: If you see something, say something. The most effective defense involves a partnership between law enforcement and the communities we serve."

State Senator Pat Toomey (R):

"The mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton are the latest, horrific examples of the violent scourge that is gripping America. The perpetrators of these murders are cowards. We must do more to keep guns out of the hands of psychopaths. While no law will end mass shootings entirely, it's time for Congress to act to help keep our communities safer. We should start by passing bipartisan proposals such as my legislation with Senator Joe Manchin to expand background checks to all commercial firearm sales. I also agree with Senator Lindsey Graham that we should pass a bipartisan "red flag" measure that enables families and law enforcement to obtain a court order to keep guns away from dangerous individuals."

Diocese of Greensburg Bishop Edward Malesic:

"The mass shooting tragedies in El Paso and Dayton, which have left so many people dead, were the result of hatred. We pray every day for God's Kingdom to come so violence will be overcome by peace. We also continue to work toward the day when wrong is overcome by charity. May the souls of the departed rest in peace and their families find consolation in God's love. May those who are wounded recover swiftly and completely. Let us pray, from the Lord's Prayer, "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."

Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission:

The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, staff and Commissioners extend our deepest condolences to the families and communities affected by this past weekend's horrific tragedies. PHRC confronts hate on a regular basis in our work and we talk back to it in a positive way.  Those conversations move our communities to an understanding and calm to continue talking.  "White Nationalism is more prevalent in todays society and must be addressed with policy" said Executive Director Chad Dion Lassiter, We've been living in a world where so many embrace our differences rather than our commonalities, and it is becoming "normal".   We must engage and address the real issues like human fragility."  Violence is all around us, yet we've seen no real movement by our leaders to address the issues we recognize that allow these tragedies to continue. Commission Chair Joel Bolstein said, "It's not enough to offer thoughts and prayers.  We must work together on real solutions that confront the hatred that has poisoned our public discourse.  It wasn't that long ago that PHRC was aiding the healing process in Pittsburgh after the horrendous shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue.  Hate simply breeds more hate.  What we need is a Pennsylvania-based strategy to confront these repeated hateful acts.  PHRC has been holding town halls and engaging communities, but everyone has a role to play, starting with toning down the hateful rhetoric and embracing our common sense of humanity.  We urge the Governor and our General Assembly to work together to take bold action in the face of these tragedies."  Mr. Lassiter said, "We here at PHRC will continue to have those conversation and invite our partners and others to the table" he continued, "that includes everyone, not just those who think and feel the same."  We must call to the table gun owners and anti-gun activists, faith-based communities, leaders in the sciences and whites, blacks, Muslims, LGBT and Jews, all must come to the table."  Lassiter said "we will continue to build our coalitions and have those conversations then we will take our ideas to the legislature together, we know there is strength in numbers and when we come together with real life solutions, humanity wins."

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