‘What now?’ Gloria Estefan, stars react to deadly Florida high school shooting
Celebrities and media personalities took to social media to express their shock and sadness over a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in South Florida that left “many” dead and at least 20 injured on Wednesday.
“What now?” asked singer Gloria Estefan, a Miami icon, on Twitter. “Yet again senseless misery is inflicted on the loved ones of innocent victims whose only fear should have been not being able to finish their homework.”
And on this day that we should be celebrating love, my beloved Florida is once again assaulted by gun violence. Yet again senseless misery is inflicted on the loved ones of innocent victims whose only fear should have been not being able to finish their homework.What now?
— Gloria Estefan (@GloriaEstefan) February 14, 2018
Cubs player Anthony Rizzo, who graduated from Douglas in 2007, encouraged the community to stay strong.
Parkland and Coral Springs please stay strong! This is out of control and and our country is in desperate need for change. I hope In this darkest of times back home this brings everyone together and we can find love. You’re all in my prayers
— Anthony Rizzo (@ARizzo44) February 14, 2018
Model Tyra Banks wrote “these senseless acts have to stop” on her Twitter feed.
My heart deeply hurts for the children and their families in South Florida that are going through a living hell.
— Tyra Banks (@tyrabanks) February 14, 2018
These senseless acts have to stop.
Enough!
Maria Shriver, a journalist and former First Lady of California and ex-wife of actor and former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, said on Twitter it’s easy to “just scroll by a story like this,” and encouraged people to pay attention.
It’s so easy these days to just scroll by a story like this. But this is developing and we should pay attention. There are families in fear and people injured. They need to know that we are thinking of them and supporting them. https://t.co/yGohvcUUgi
— Maria Shriver (@mariashriver) February 14, 2018
George Takei, an actor most known for his role as Hikaru Sulu on “Star Trek,” says something must be done to “stop these violent and horrific acts.”
It is clear now more than ever that something must be done to stop these violent and horrific acts--my heart goes out to all those affected by this senseless tragedy. https://t.co/C99tWeWEpr
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) February 14, 2018
FOX News host Jeanine Pirro also spoke out on the shooting.
Hearts go out to all injured in Florida school shooting.
— Jeanine Pirro (@JudgeJeanine) February 14, 2018
Commentator and journalist Charles M. Blow compared the arrest of the suspected shooter to recent police shootings of black men.
Freddie Gray runs from cops. They drag him screaming into the back of a wagon, unsecured, and bounce him around until they snap him spiral cord. Dead.
— Charles M. Blow (@CharlesMBlow) February 14, 2018
Florida school shooter shoots 14 kids, is gently loaded onto gurney and his legs draped with a blanket. Alive.
Is it just me?…
Prominent Christian evangelist Franklin Graham urged people to “pray for those affected by the shooting.”
Pray for those affected by the shooting at this Florida school and pray for law enforcement and first responders. https://t.co/XuQwFuiw9c
— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) February 14, 2018
Other celebrities, like actress Gabrielle Union, who stars in BET television show “Being Mary Jane,” asked if this will be the shooting that leads to action on gun control. Union is married to Miami Heat basketball player Dwyane Wade.
Like thousands in South Florida, we sent the boys to school in Broward County this morning... there are no words to describe the despair, horror & anger. This does not have to be our collective reality. How many more? How many children must not make it home?
— Gabrielle Union (@itsgabrielleu) February 14, 2018
Actress Alyssa Milano tweeted, “We can’t wait any longer” with a #GunControlNow hashtag.
We can’t wait any longer. #GunControlNow #LoveIsLouder pic.twitter.com/TdpTnLvAos
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) February 14, 2018
Some celebrities, such as comedian and television personality Chelsea Handler, took on a politically charged tone, calling out Republicans and the National Rifle Association.
“We have to elect candidates that are not funded by the NRA in November. We have an opportunity to elect candidates who won’t allow kids to go to school and get shot,” Handler said, adding that “you all have blood on your hands.”
We have to elect candidates that are not funded by the NRA in November. We have an opportunity to elect candidates who won’t allow kids to go to school and get shot. It is disgusting how many times this has happened and Republicans do nothing. You all have blood on your hands.
— Chelsea Handler (@chelseahandler) February 14, 2018
“Another black day for America,” tweeted former FOX News host Bill O’Reilly. “Individual rage is driving the murders, which are now occurring on a regular basis,” he said.
Another black day for America with the senseless violence in South Florida. We the people are used to discussing solutions to terrible problems like mass shootings. But the truth is that individual rage is driving the murders, which are now occurring on a regular basis.
— Bill O'Reilly (@BillOReilly) February 15, 2018
A gunman opened fire just before 3 p.m. Wednesday at the school in Parkland, Fla., killing 17 people, authorities reported. The suspected shooter, Nicolas de Jesus Cruz, 19, has been taken into police custody, The Miami Herald reported.
The shooting is the 18th school shooting to happen in the U.S. this year, according to data from gun control advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety.
This story was originally published February 14, 2018 at 6:08 PM with the headline "‘What now?’ Gloria Estefan, stars react to deadly Florida high school shooting."