On Friday Morning, a gunman opened fire at Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe, Texas killing at least 8 people and injuring a number of others. The shooting comes after months of activism in the US over guns and gun violence, led by the survivors of the Parkland shootings, that killed 17 students and staff members in November. According to CNN, Friday’s shooting was the third at a US school this week and the 22nd school shooting this year.
Many have reacted on Twitter to the deadly shooting, with the hashtag #PrayForSantaFe currently tending, and giving an outpour of love and support to the students and staff affected. And an overwhelming amount of people are responding how the US has let this go on for far too long.
Tbh, we need some major changes.
My heart goes out to the students of Santa Fe High School. I’m all out of words continuing to see this epidemic of senseless gun violence. There is nothing to debate about. Let’s put some action in place and make big changes. No excuses. #SantaFeHighSchool
— CJ Johnson (@cjjohnsonjr) May 18, 2018
Enough is enough.
My prayers go out to everyone affected by the Santa Fe School shooting. Something needs to change. kids should not have to fear for their life while going to school, they should feel safe. We need control
— Khalid (@thegreatkhalid) May 18, 2018
Honestly, the scariest thing about school should be our grades.
There have been 22 school shootings this year. There’s only been 20 weeks in 2018.
How many school shootings is it going to take before someone finally says enough and something finally changes?? We shouldn’t have to wake up every morning scared to go school
— Kait ? (@kaitlinmaarie) May 18, 2018
Shout-out to those supporting the need for change.
These school shootings have been going on far too long. Something must be done! #PrayforSantaFe
— ✨E.Knows Everything✨ (@DaFly_Princess) May 18, 2018
No one should have to live their lives like this — afraid.
How much more of this has to occur for change to happen, I fear for my life because if I go to school how would I know if my brothers and sisters or I would make it back home #PrayforSantaFe https://t.co/YpwvMrzWDJ
— LUCKEY (@ThaLuckeyJr) May 18, 2018
Some of the students from Parkland High School also tweeted their support, decrying what they said would “continue to happen unless action is taken.”
To the students and faculty of Santa Fe High School, we are with you. #MarchForOurLives pic.twitter.com/3DYXOhmwsP
— March For Our Lives (@AMarch4OurLives) May 18, 2018
Emma González, a student activist, addressed her tweet directly to the students.
“Santa Fe High, you did not deserve this. You deserve peace all your lives, not just after a tombstone saying that is put over you. You deserve more than Thoughts and Prayers,and after supporting us by walking out we will be there to support you by raising up your voices,” she wrote.
Santa Fe High, you didn’t deserve this. You deserve peace all your lives, not just after a tombstone saying that is put over you. You deserve more than Thoughts and Prayers, and after supporting us by walking out we will be there to support you by raising up your voices.
— Emma González (@Emma4Change) May 18, 2018
Another Parkland survivor, David Hogg, also tweeted, “Get ready for two weeks of media coverage of politicians acting like they gave a shit when in reality they just want to boost their approval ratings before midterms.”
Here’s hoping that Americans and their representatives prove that prediction wrong.