WASHINGTON, D.C. – Michigan’s Congressional delegation including Rep. Jack Bergman (R- MI), Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D- MI) and Sen. Gary Peters (D- MI) are reacting to the Michigan State University shooting.
While there are many details still left unanswered about the shooting, Rep. Bergman told WZMQ he is still waiting to hear the full scope of the investigation.
“Was there a safety system that failed,” asked Rep. Bergman. “Was there an outreach by, you know, an individual to get help that was turned down? What are the details of this particular situation? So. Well, things like this are horrific. This could happen where someone was using a car to run into a group of students on a corner coming out of one of the student unions or one of the restaurants or whatever in East Lansing. So this is not about guns. This is about human behavior. And this is about outreach on all counts to promote a safe environment for students, but also have an environment where we don’t jump to conclusions on anything.”
Michigan Senators Peters and Stabenow took to Twitter following the shooting.
Stabenow statement:
Once again, gun violence has touched a Michigan community. I am grieving for my fellow Spartans today – for the lives lost, the injured, and all of the students, parents, MSU employees, and local residents who will be living with fear for a long time to come. I am grateful too for the first responders who put their own lives on the line to keep people safe. Spartans are strong and resilient – I know that the university and community will come together and get through this. I’m so incredibly sad and angry that they have to.
Peters statement:
“Colleen and I are heartbroken by the horrific shooting at Michigan State University. We’re grieving for those who lost loved ones in this nightmare and are praying for those who were injured. We’re thinking of the students, parents, staff, Spartan community — and all impacted by this tragedy. I’m also thankful to the law enforcement and first responders who rushed to the scene.”
The White House also released a statement on the shooting:
Jill and I are praying for the three students killed and the five students fighting for their lives after last night’s shooting at Michigan State University. Our hearts are with these young victims and their families, the broader East Lansing and Lansing communities, and all Americans across the country grieving as the result of gun violence.
Last night, I spoke to Governor Whitmer and directed the deployment of all necessary federal law enforcement to support local and state response efforts. I assured her that we would continue to provide the resources and support needed in the weeks ahead.
Too many American communities have been devastated by gun violence. I have taken action to combat this epidemic in America, including a historic number of executive actions and the first significant gun safety law in nearly 30 years, but we must do more.
The fact that this shooting took place the night before this country marks five years since the deadly shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, should cause every American to exclaim “enough” and demand that Congress take action.
As I said in my State of the Union address last week, Congress must do something and enact commonsense gun law reforms, including requiring background checks on all gun sales, banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, closing loopholes in our background check system, requiring safe storage of guns, and eliminating immunity for gun manufacturers who knowingly put weapons of war on our streets. Action is what we owe to those grieving today in Michigan and across America.
