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Napolitano’s Statement on San Bernardino Elementary School Shooting

April 10, 2017

(EL MONTE, CA) Today, Rep. Grace F. Napolitano released the following statement after this morning’s tragic shooting at North Park Elementary School in San Bernardino:

“We cannot begin to imagine the horror experienced by the students, parents, teachers, administrators, and staff at North Park Elementary as a result of today’s shooting. We grieve with the family, students, and colleagues of the teacher who was killed and send our immediate prayers for healing to the students who were critically wounded. Additional counseling and supportive mental health services should be made available for all children, their families, first responders, and the entire San Bernardino community. Guns do not belong anywhere near schools, at any grade level, and we must do all we can to ensure our classrooms are safe environments for learning and growth. There are still many unanswered questions from today’s tragedy, but we cannot just talk about how to prevent gun violence; we must act.”

Napolitano serves as a Vice Chair of the House Democratic Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. She was appointed to the Task Force following the tragic shooting in Newtown, CT in 2012 to address mental health as a component of gun violence prevention. Napolitano is also the founder and Chair of the Congressional Mental Health Caucus.

If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress, call the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline is 1-800-985-5990.

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