Biden says Kansas City shooting 'cuts deep into the American soul'

Lina Portman2 days ago

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President Joe Biden said that the shooting during the Super Bowl victory celebration in Kansas City, Mo., on Wednesday “deeply touched the American soul,” and he once again renewed his call for gun control .

“The Super Bowl is the most unifying event in America. Nothing brings us together like this. And celebrating a Super Bowl victory is a moment that brings joy that cannot be matched for the winning team and its fans,” Biden said in a statement. statement Wednesday evening.

“The fact that this joy turned to tragedy today in Kansas City touches the American soul deeply,” he said.

At least one person was killed and 22 were injured during a parade to mark the anniversary of the child's death. Kansas City Chiefs“Super Bowl victory.

The deceased victim was identified as Lisa Lopez-Galvan, a DJ at Kansas City radio station KKFI. Among the injured were at least nine children who were being treated for gunshot wounds, according to a local hospital.

The shooter has not yet been identified, but authorities say three people are in custody.

“Today’s events should move us, shock us, shame us, and move us to action. What are we waiting for? What else do we need to see? How many more families need to be torn apart?” Biden said.

In his statement, the president echoed his previous calls for gun law reform, including reinstating the ban on assault weapons, limiting high-capacity magazines and strengthening background checks.

The Kansas City shootings came on the sixth anniversary of the mass shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida, that killed 17 people and injured 17 others.

According to Gun Violence ArchivesThere have been more mass shootings than days so far in 2024, with 49 mass shootings in 19 states and Washington D.C. Last year, more than 40,000 people were killed by gun violence and more than 600 mass shootings occurred, including one of the deadliest in recent decadesa massacre of 18 people occurred on October 25 in Lewiston, Maine.

“The epidemic of gun violence is tearing families and communities apart every day. Some make the news. Much does not. But it is unacceptable,” Biden said.

“We have to decide who we are as a country. To me, we are a country where people should have the right to go to school, go to church, walk down the street and attend a Super Bowl celebration without fear of losing their lives to gun violence.”