CLEVELAND — Several of Ohio's lawmakers and those seeking office have reacted on Tuesday after the tragic shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.
According to officials, 21 people are dead – three adults and 18 students – after an active shooter situation. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said the shooter, who he identified as an 18-year-old man from Uvalde named Salvador Ramos, is dead.
Here is a rundown of how several of Ohio's politicians are reacting to the deadly school shooting:
Gov. Mike DeWine: "Fran and I are heartbroken over the tragedy in Uvalde, Texas. The last place we should be afraid to send our children and grandchildren is school. School safety and law enforcement intelligence gathering are key efforts within our Ohio Department of Public Safety, and we offer any assistance to Gov. Abbott and Texas law enforcement that they may need. Fran and I will keep the victims and their families in our prayers, and we ask all Ohioans to do the same."
Former Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley (DeWine's opponent in upcoming gubernatorial race): "Heartbreaking. My thoughts are with the victims' families and loved ones.
"No one should have to live in fear of becoming victims to deadly shootings like these as we go about our lives. At school. At the grocery store. Anywhere.
"We need leaders who are willing to do something."
Sen. Sherrod Brown (D): "I'm at a loss. The inaction of a handful of politicians in Washington and state legislatures continues to cost us lives, mass shooting after mass shooting."
Sen. Rob Portman (R): "My heart goes out to the families of the victims of this horrible tragedy in Uvalde. Our nation mourns for the innocent children, teacher, and all those affected by this senseless act of violence."
Rep. Tim Ryan (D-13): "Andrea and I are praying for the Uvalde community and the innocent young lives taken from us in another senseless tragedy. Our babies are being killed by gun violence and we are failing them. We have to do something. Our kids should be safe at school."
J.D. Vance (Ryan's opponent in upcoming U.S. Senate race):
Rep. Bill Johnson (R-6):
Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-9): "I am sickened by the tragedy that has unfolded in Texas today, and my heart is with the loved ones who should never have to bear such unspeakable pain. More than a dozen beautiful souls have been senselessly taken by a monster who held no regard for human life. Coming mere days after the racist murders carried out in Buffalo, our nation must come to grips with what is so painfully obvious: ignoring this violence and evil is no solution at all. Students, teachers, kids on the sidewalk and on playgrounds, and seniors buying groceries are being callously hunted down with no end in sight. Special interests – vested with colossal power – have been allowed to systematically thwart even the most reasonable measures that are supported by gun owners and non-gun owners alike. We cannot allow those who think the status quo is acceptable to continue to rule the day. Americans are demanding sanity, and Congress must take the commonsense steps that will protect lives and respect civil liberties."
Rep. Shontel Brown (D-11): "I am horrified and heartbroken by the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Texas. I am also angry. Angry that 14 children--14 innocent children--and their teacher lost their lives to gun violence that we have the power to do something about. Enough is enough."
Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb:
Matthew Diemer (Democrat running in Ohio's 7th Congressional District): "No parent should have to fear sending their kids to school."
State Rep. Emilia Sykes (Democrat running in Ohio's 13th Congressional District): "What words can I type to convey my sympathy to the parents who sent their children to school today, unaware that it would be the last time they would see them alive? I am absolutely devastated for them. My heart is broken for them, and I am praying fervently for the families who lost children and for the family of the teacher."
Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish: "I am truly, truly heartbroken after yesterday’s news of the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas. Nineteen children and two adults were killed in an act of senseless violence. School is supposed to be a place where students can learn and grow in a safe environment. This has not been the case for many years now. Those in positions of power have the ability to make the legislative change necessary to save lives. Gun control should have come after we lost 26 children in the Sandy Hook massacre. What will be the final straw? Reform needs to happen now.”
Akron Mayor Daniel Horrigan: "This epidemic of gun violence isn't just an Akron problem, or a Texas problem, or a New York one. It is impacting communities across our nation, and it must be addressed at the highest levels. This country needs to wake the hell up and realize it has a gun problem. This isn't about politics. This is about protecting our children and our communities. I'm urging every state capital and Congress to take swift action. Everyone deserves to feel safe in their own homes, schools, supermarkets, and cities, and common-sense gun laws would be a long overdue step in the right direction."
We will update this post as more of Ohio's lawmakers and candidates react.
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