Yahoo News Blink-182 cancel El Paso show 'in solidarity with the community' after shooting
Rock band Blink-182 has cancelled an upcoming gig in El Paso “in solidarity with the community”, after a gunman killed at least 20 people and injured 26 more at a supermarket in the city.
Blink-182 frontman Mark Hoppus took to social media to keep his 2.8 million Twitter followers updated, as the band was put in “lockdown” in their hotel, situated nearby the Walmart store where the mass shooting took place.
Hoppus tweeted: “We were leaving breakfast when our security texted that there was an active shooter at the mall we were headed to. Saw dozens of police cars on the freeway and surface streets. Helicopters. We got back to the hotel and turned on the news to see what was happening.”
we were leaving breakfast when our security texted that there was an active shooter at the mall we were headed to. saw dozens of police cars on the freeway and surface streets. helicopters. we got back to the hotel and turned on the news to see what was happening. then
— mark hoppus.🏳️🌈 (@markhoppus) August 3, 2019
Another tweet said: “Over the intercom system they just announced that there are reports of another active shooter directly across the street at a location different from the first shootings.”
Despite reports of a second shooting, police later confirmed this was not the case.
The group’s official Twitter page announced: “Following today’s terrible tragedy in El Paso we are postponing our Sunday, August 4th show at the UTEP Don Haskins Arena in solidarity with the community.
“Please stay tuned for further updates coming soon. Sending our love to the entire community of El Paso.”
CCTV images said to be of the gunman showed a man in dark clothing wearing ear protectors and holding an assault-style rifle.
Following today’s terrible tragedy in El Paso we are postponing our Sunday, August 4th show at the UTEP Don Haskins Arena in solidarity with the community. Please stay tuned for further updates coming soon. Sending our love to the entire community of El Paso.
— blink-182 (@blink182) August 4, 2019
A 21-year-old man is in custody. Police have reported the suspect is a resident of the Dallas-area city of Allen, more than 650 miles east of El Paso.
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US President Donald Trump described the attack as "an act of cowardice".
He tweeted: "I know that I stand with everyone in this country to condemn today's hateful act. There are no reasons or excuses that will ever justify killing innocent people."
Today’s shooting in El Paso, Texas, was not only tragic, it was an act of cowardice. I know that I stand with everyone in this Country to condemn today’s hateful act. There are no reasons or excuses that will ever justify killing innocent people....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 4, 2019
