Below is a statement by U.S. Conference of Mayors President, Columbia (SC) Mayor Steve Benjamin on yesterday’s shooting at STEM School Highlands Ranch:
“Once again students have been attacked in their school. This time it occurred in Highlands Ranch, CO, just eight miles from Columbine High School. One student died after trying to stop the shooters, eight were wounded and all of the students and faculty at STEM School Highlands Ranch were threatened.
“America’s mayors condemn any act of violence in any school. We cannot expect our children to learn or teachers to teach if they do not feel safe in their schools.
“We stand with the Highlands Ranch community and recognize the bravery of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Deputies who quickly responded. We send our condolences to the family and friends of the student who was killed and pray for the quick recovery of all those injured in this terrible tragedy.
“Since the 1999 shooting at Columbine High School there have been a number of school shootings, including Virginia Tech, Sandy Hook Elementary, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, and more than 228,000 students have experienced gun violence at school, yet no real change has taken place. Once again, we must ask: What will it take to enact sensible gun safety legislation in this country?”
