A Letter From El Paso To Georgians & Coloradoans After Mass Shootings

Dear Georgians and Coloradoans, I’m reaching out from El Paso to express my sorrow and let you know that I stand with you against these senseless crimes.  

Two mass shootings have occurred over the last week, and it’s the saddest, most triggering thing I've ever seen.

Yesterday’s horrendous incident is the third most terrifying moment for Coloradoans after the 1999 Columbine High School massacre, and the Aurora Theatre mass shooting of 2012. 

The recent Colorado shooting that killed 10 people comes on the heels of another mass shooting that killed eight people at three massage parlors in Atlanta, Georgia, in under a week. 

No person in American should ever have to experience the gripping fear of a mass shooting while shopping, going to the movies, or visiting a spa.

Sadly, terrifying incidents like these keep happening, and it’s attempting to erode more than our nation's diversity; it’s victimizing our communities and robbing the precious lives of our loved ones.  

These senseless tragedies have taken so much from us already, and I’m so sorry that you have to go through this, and you and I have an absolute right to be angry. 

I'm angry that these mass shootings continue to happen. I’m mad that current gun control policies fail to protect innocent people. I’m utterly disgusted that these cowards get to walk the face of this earth after taking innocent lives, and I’m beside myself that no one can guarantee me that this won’t ever happen again.  

Anger doesn’t quite capture what I’m feeling. Frankly, it sickens me that we have to endure these incidents that reignite the anger, tearing open the scars and having us reliving some of our darkest moments as a community. 

The news footage, 911 calls for help, and fire exchange of these horrific events are so triggering, especially when we’re coming up on the 9th anniversary of the Aurora Theatre shooting and the second anniversary of the Walmart shooting in El Paso. 

You might be asking yourself, how and why does this happen? But honestly, there is no acceptable explanation. The color of someone’s skin or culture is not a valid answer. There will never be a justifiable reason for someone to be carrying an AR-15 assault rifle on a random Monday afternoon and opening fire on unsuspecting victims inside a supermarket or anywhere for that matter.  

These are cowardly acts, and my heart goes out to the families of all the victims of the Georgia and Colorado shootings. 

It will take some time before your communities feel safe again, but I’m here to tell you that we must continue to fight against these hate crimes, and we cannot let fear overtake our lives, not now. Not ever.  

My prayers and deepest condolences go out to the families of the victims. I share in your grief, and I hope that you find solace in your faith and the memory of your loved ones.