U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona expressed his condolences to all those impacted by the Georgia high school shooting while visiting Ivy Tech Community College in Valparaiso Wednesday, just hours after the fatal shooting.
The victims died unnecessarily in a senseless school shooting, Cardona said. A 14-year-old boy was charged as an adult with using an assault-style rifle to kill two Apalachee High School students and two teachers in the hallway outside his algebra classroom, Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey said at a news conference.
Students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14, and teachers Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Christina Irimie, 53, were killed in the shooting. At least nine other people – eight students and one teacher at the school in Winder – were taken to hospitals with injuries.
“It’s just another reminder of how the beautiful season of back to school can be marred and senselessly interrupted by gun violence,” Cardona said. “As parents, we want to drop off our children and know that they are going to be in good hands, and unfortunately that community in Georgia today they are suffering.”
The Department of Education has reached out to school officials and has offered support and resources, Cardona said.
“We still have work to do to make sure that our schools are safe, that the children are safe, that our educators are safe. Our prayers are with the community in Georgia,” Cardona said.
U.S. Rep Frank Mrvan, D-Highland, said the start of the school year should be a time for students, families, teachers, administrators and support staff to feel hopeful, not fearful.
“I extend my prayers to those who lost their life in this senseless tragedy, those who are recovering, and all impacted by the horrific and regrettably all too common school shooting. I urge the Speaker to work in a bipartisan manner to enact meaningful legislation to protect our children from the dangers of gun violence,” Mrvan said.
Lake County Republican Party Chairman Randy Niemeyer, who is running for the 1st Congressional District, said his heart breaks for the victims, their families and the community affected by the fatal shooting.
“Schools should be a place of safety and learning, not scenes of violence. I stand with the families in mourning and offer my deepest condolences during this incredibly difficult time,” Niemeyer said.
Porter County Republican Party Chairman Michael Simpson said the shooting was horrific and extremely tragic. Indiana has school resource officers, Simpson said, so he did not want to comment on what could be done to prevent school shootings.
“Our condolences go to the family members of the four victims that were killed and to all the family members of those who were wounded and impacted by this terrible tragedy,” Simpson said.
State Rep. Michael Aylesworth, R-Hebron, said the shooting at the Georgia high school was tragic and he extended his thoughts and prayers to those affected. Politicians should refocus their efforts and focus on supporting school systems in helping students who need counseling or intervention, he said.
When asked if politicians should address school shootings through gun laws, Aylesworth said no.
“There’s nothing we can do with that because it’s protected by the Second Amendment. We need better intervention for people with emotional issues,” Aylesworth said.
State Senator Rodney Pol, D-Chesterton, said he had a pit in his stomach as he learned about the school shooting because as the news develops it’s hard not to imagine the worst.
Pol said he can’t believe that after countless school shootings, politicians haven’t been able to address the issue.
“Thoughts and prayers don’t do anything when this keeps happening. It’s a nice sentiment and it’s nice to care for people, but we can do something,” Pol said.
In Indiana, Pol said many gun bills, like those that would address background checks, requirements for safety courses and storage regulations, don’t get heard by the legislature.
“We regulate everything else in such a meaningful way, but it seems common sense legislation is voted down if it impacts the gun lobby,” Pol said.
To further address school shootings, it’s important that within a community its school systems, mental health systems and family support systems are funded, Pol said.
“We have to quit saying we’re going to do better and do better. Who is really ready to sit down at the table to figure this out?” Pol said.
The Associated Press contributed.
akukulka@post-trib.com
