Navy Yard Shooting Renews Gun Control Debate
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(President Obama/ Creative Commons)
Here are the six shootings and some of Obama's reactions:
1. July 20, 2012. During the midnight premiere of "The Dark Knight Rises" in Aurora, Colo. James Holmes, who was 24-years-old at the time, opened fire and killed 12 people while wounding 58. Chillingly, Holmes started the attack at the same moment Bane, a villain in the movie, attacks a large crowd.
Parts of Obama's speech in reaction:
"Michelle and I are shocked and saddened by the horrific and tragic shooting in Colorado. Federal and local law enforcement are still responding, and my Administration will do everything that we can to support the people of Aurora in this extraordinarily difficult time. We are committed to bringing whoever was responsible to justice, ensuring the safety of our people, and caring for those who have been wounded. As we do when confronted by moments of darkness and challenge, we must now come together as one American family. All of us must have the people of Aurora in our thoughts and prayers as they confront the loss of family, friends, and neighbors, and we must stand with them in the challenging hours and days to come."
2. Aug. 5, 2012: Less than a month after the shooting rampage in Aurora, Colo. 40-year-old Army veteran Wade Michael Page shot and killed six Sikh temple memembers in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. He then killed himself.
Obama's reaction during his reelection campaign:
“Michelle and I were deeply saddened to learn of the shooting that tragically took so many lives in Wisconsin. At this difficult time, the people of Oak Creek must know that the American people have them in our thoughts and prayers, and our hearts go out to the families and friends of those who were killed and wounded. My administration will provide whatever support is necessary to the officials who are responding to this tragic shooting and moving forward with an investigation. As we mourn this loss, which took place at a house of worship, we are reminded how much our country has been enriched by Sikhs, who are a part of our broader American family.”
3. Sept. 27, 2012: Andrew Engeldinger, 36, shot and killed five people at Accent Signage Systems in Minneapolis, Minn over losing his job. He then also killed himself.
4. Dec. 11, 2012: Jacob Tyler Roberts, 22, killed two people and himself with a stolen rifle at the Clackamas Town Center in Oregon. His motivation for the crime is still unknown.
5. Dec. 14, 2012: Just three days after the shooting at the Clackamas Town Center in Oregon, arguably one of the most tragic mass shootings occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. Adam Lanza, 20, went on a horrific shooting rampage and killed 20 children and six staff members at the school. He also killed his mother, Nancy Lanza, before heading over to Sandy Hook.
"We've endured too many of these tragedies in the past few years. And each time I learn the news I react not as a President, but as anybody else would — as a parent. And that was especially true today. I know there's not a parent in America who doesn't feel the same overwhelming grief that I do….
As a country, we have been through this too many times. Whether it's an elementary school in Newtown, or a shopping mall in Oregon, or a temple in Wisconsin, or a movie theater in Aurora, or a street corner in Chicago — these neighborhoods are our neighborhoods, and these children are our children. And we're going to have to come together and take meaningful action to prevent more tragedies like this, regardless of the politics."
6. Sept. 16, 2013: Aaron Alexis, 34, who was discharged from the navy in 2011, opened fire with a gun he obtained legally at the Washington D.C. Navy Yard, and killed 12 people.
Watch Obama's speech here:
For more of Neon Tommy's coverage of the Washington Navy Yard shooting click here.
Email Editor-At-Large, Danielle Tarasiuk here.
