Mississippi Chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action Respond After Three People Killed and 13 Wounded in Mass Shooting in Indianola

Indianola, Miss. - The Mississippi chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety's grassroots network, released the following statements in response to a mass shooting in Indianola last night that killed three people and wounded 13 others. With details still emerging, reports show that the mass shooting occurred outside a local club just after midnight on Sunday.

"Make no mistake: Gun violence in America is entirely preventable. But despite my generation literally dying in our classrooms, homes, and on a night out, our politicians have chosen a path of inaction," said Valencia Green, a student at Jackson State University and volunteer leader with the Mississippi Chapter of Students Demand Action. "We're being forced to normalize living in constant fear of gunfire ringing out, but the truth is, this isn't normal. When shootings happen we need more than 'thoughts and prayers,' we need action to keep us safe."

"We shouldn't have to worry that when our kids go out for the night, they may not make it home. Mississippi ranks nearly last in the country for gun law strength, and our state has the gun violence rate to prove it, our lawmakers have blood on their hands," saidLekitha Hill, a volunteer with the Mississippi chapter of Moms Demand Action. "Time and time again, we've demanded our lawmakers keep our communities safe and time and time again, they fail us. We will not rest until we can feel safe in our homes, our schools, clubs, and in our communities."

Indianola is a predominantly Black community and early reports indicate that the majority of victims were Black, yet another example of how time and time again, Black people in America bear the weight of our nation's gun violence crisis. Black Americans are nearly three times more likely than white Americans to die by guns, and 12 times more likely to die by gun homicide. Black Americans are also nearly three times more likely to be shot and killed by police, than white Americans.

Last night's shooting comes as, just months ago, a mass shooting broke out at a nightclub in West Point, killing one woman and injuring twelve.

Mississippi comes in at 49th for gun law strength in the United States, among the weakest in the entire country. In an average year, 804 people die by guns. With a rate of 27.9 deaths per 100,000 people, Mississippi has the highest rate of gun deaths in the US.

If you are interested in speaking with a Mississippi Moms Demand Action or Students Demand volunteer, or a policy expert please reach out to [email protected].