World Leaders React to the Texas Church Mass Shooting
At least 26 people were killed and about 20 others injured after a gunman opened fire on a church in a small South Texas community on Sunday morning, in what Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called the deadliest mass shooting in the state’s recent history.
The violence comes just one month after the nation was rocked by the Las Vegas massacre, which left 59 dead and 527 injured after a shooter opened fire on a country music festival.
The latest mass shooting targeted the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, a community of about 400 people located about 30 miles from San Antonio.
The suspected shooter, identified as former airman Devin Kelley, died after a car chase. It remains unclear how he died or what his motive was.
World leaders and American political figures took to social media to express sympathy for the victims and their families. Here is what they said:
President Trump and U.S. politicians respond to the shooting
President Donald Trump tweeted his condolences from Tokyo Monday morning as he began the first leg of his Asia visit. He also released a statement calling the shooting a “horrible act of evil” and said he would “continue to follow developments closely” during his 12-day tour.
May God be w/ the people of Sutherland Springs, Texas. The FBI & law enforcement are on the scene. I am monitoring the situation from Japan.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 5, 2017
Former President Barack Obama expressed condolences and called for a look at “what concrete steps we can take to reduce the violence and weaponry in our midst.”
We grieve with all the families in Sutherland Springs harmed by this act of hatred, and we’ll stand with the survivors as they recover...
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) November 6, 2017
May God also grant all of us the wisdom to ask what concrete steps we can take to reduce the violence and weaponry in our midst.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) November 6, 2017
Echoing Obama’s call to action Minnesota Senator Al Franken urged “moral courage to address these senseless acts.”
To all who lost loved ones at Sutherland Springs: the nation grieves with you. We must find moral courage to address these senseless acts.
— U.S. Senator Al Franken (@SenFranken) November 5, 2017
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott released a statement shortly before arriving on the scene in Sutherland Springs. He thanked law enforcement responders and called on all Texans to “pray for the Sutherland Springs community during this time of mourning and loss.”
Statement on shooting in Sutherland Springs, TX. pic.twitter.com/ffUbQgYdWD
— Gov. Greg Abbott (@GovAbbott) November 5, 2017
World leaders react to the Texas church shooting
Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was with President Trump as news of the shooting broke, sent messages of condolence through both Facebook and Twitter. “My thoughts are with those who suffered injuries in the incident. I wish to express heartfelt solidarity with the people of the United States during this difficult time,” he said.
I offer my deepest condolences for those who lost their lives in the incident that occurred in the U.S. state of Texas.
— 安倍晋三 (@AbeShinzo) November 6, 2017
British Prime Minister Theresa May said her thoughts and prayers were with the victims of the shooting.
PM: Tragic loss of life in Sutherland Springs, Texas. Thoughts and prayers with all those affected by this terrible shooting.
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) November 5, 2017
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, said in a statement that it “is appalling that this act took place in a place of worship, where worshippers should have felt safe.”
“On behalf of all Canadians, I extend my deepest condolences to the families and friends of those killed. We also hope for a speedy recovery to all those harmed today,” he added.
From Mexico, President Enrique Peña Nieto offered his country’s “solidarity and condolences to all those affected.”
Lamento el trágico incidente ocurrido en una iglesia en Sutherland Springs, Texas. Nuestra solidaridad y condolencias a todos los afectados.
— Enrique Peña Nieto (@EPN) November 6, 2017
Israeli President Reuven Rivlin also offered his prayers to the victims and families.
Terrible news coming out of #Texas. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the victims and their families.
— Reuven Rivlin (@PresidentRuvi) November 5, 2017
The government of Venezuela issued a statement strongly condemning “this and any other act of violence whose purpose is to cause terror in the population.”
Comunicado del Gobierno Bolivariano de Venezuela condena ataque en San Antonio, Texas, y se solidariza con las víctimas y el pueblo de EEUU pic.twitter.com/UyUQGMdLPK
— Jorge Arreaza M (@jaarreaza) November 6, 2017