U.S. Rep. Cori Bush, D-ºüÀêÊÓƵ, steps away after speaking at a news conference with ºüÀêÊÓƵ Mayor Tishaura O. Jones and interim police Chief Michael Sack outside Central Visual and Performing Arts High School following a school shooting on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, in the Southwest Garden neighborhood.Â
Robert Cohen, Post-Dispatch
People embrace at the evacuation point on the Schnucks parking lot after a school shooting at Central Visual & Performing Arts High School in south ºüÀêÊÓƵ on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
David Carson
ºüÀêÊÓƵ Mayor Tishaura O. Jones hugs U.S. Rep. Cori Bush, D-ºüÀêÊÓƵ, before a news conference outside Central Visual and Performing Arts High School following a school shooting on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, in the Southwest Garden neighborhood.
Robert Cohen photos, Post-Dispatch
ºüÀêÊÓƵ Public Schools Superintendent Kelvin Adams steps away after speaking at a news conference outside Central Visual & Performing Arts High School following a school shooting on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, in the Southwest Garden neighborhood.
Elected officials issued statements on social media in the wake of the shooting inside a ºüÀêÊÓƵ high school.
: “Our schools and other places of learning should be safe — period. The gun violence epidemic facing our students, teachers, and staff is a public health crisis.â€
: “The tragedy at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School marks the 40th school shooting this year. 2022 was already the year on record with the highest number of school shootings occurring in a single year. This is unconscionable and inexcusable.â€
: “Our office has been briefed on this tragedy. State Public Safety officials are coordinating with local law enforcement and have offered any state resources necessary to assist with the investigation. ... Teresa and I are praying for the victims, their families, and the entire community.â€
: “We will know more in the coming days, but one thing that is clear is that lockdown procedures — which ºüÀêÊÓƵ Public School’s administrators, teachers and students at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School and first responders followed as this attack unfolded — were essential in preventing further violence. I am personally grateful to each of them and share my deepest condolences.â€
: “Thank you to the ºüÀêÊÓƵ Metropolitan Police officers who were nothing short of heroic in their response to these tragic shootings. Although this tragedy did not occur in ºüÀêÊÓƵ County, if there is any way we can help or any assistance we can offer, we are here for our ºüÀêÊÓƵ city family.â€
: “I am heartbroken this morning to see reports of a school shooting in south ºüÀêÊÓƵ. As mother and grandmother myself, I’m shocked and praying for all those affected — students, parents, faculty, and in the community. I’m grateful to brave law enforcement for their quick response.â€
: “Our hearts are with the students at the Central Visual and Performing Arts School and their families as they seek to heal from this senseless tragedy, and we commend the brave men and women of law enforcement for their quick and decisive action.â€
: “The school building had locked doors, metal detectors, and on-site security. Police response was swift and professional. There was still a shooting. ... It is unconscionable that our Republican legislature has tied our hands. We are prohibited from doing more to get guns off the street. ... No children should have to live with the constant threat of gun violence.â€
: “Today’s trauma will affect our entire community, most notably our students, our teachers, and our first responders directly involved. We support you. We care for you. Our hearts are with you. But that does not scratch the surface of what we need to do to keep our children safe. Our state and federal governments need to act. The complete lack of action in Jefferson City and Washington is normalizing children being killed at school.â€
: “Just devastated about the senseless loss of life at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in the city of ºüÀêÊÓƵ. I am grateful for the swift response of our law enforcement.â€
: “Tragic news from Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in ºüÀêÊÓƵ. Thank you to law enforcement officers who quickly responded.â€
: “Devastating news in ºüÀêÊÓƵ. I’m grateful for the swift response of local law enforcement. My office is in contact with local authorities and we stand ready to offer all assistance possible.â€
: “My heart is broken for the children and their families in ºüÀêÊÓƵ who have had their lives forever changed for the worse. (The Missouri Legislature) can and must do better to address the epidemic of gun violence killing Missourians.â€
“This morning, hundreds of parents in ºüÀêÊÓƵ received the phone call that every parent fears — there has been a shooting at your child’s school. We do not yet know the status of those physically injured, but we know the trauma inflicted today will affect these children and families for decades to come.â€
: “... The horror today illustrates the continued need for Jefferson City to act. We must pass laws that will prevent tragedies like today, not enable or exacerbate them. I know myself and several colleagues have offered solutions that have fallen on deaf ears in the past.â€
: “The City of ºüÀêÊÓƵ has suffered innumerable tragedies carried out with firearms, but the attack on the children of our community today has chilled me to the bone. No one should have to tolerate the trauma that students and educators faced today.â€
U.S. Rep. Cori Bush, D-ºüÀêÊÓƵ, steps away after speaking at a news conference with ºüÀêÊÓƵ Mayor Tishaura O. Jones and interim police Chief Michael Sack outside Central Visual and Performing Arts High School following a school shooting on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, in the Southwest Garden neighborhood.Â
People embrace at the evacuation point on the Schnucks parking lot after a school shooting at Central Visual & Performing Arts High School in south ºüÀêÊÓƵ on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
ºüÀêÊÓƵ Mayor Tishaura O. Jones hugs U.S. Rep. Cori Bush, D-ºüÀêÊÓƵ, before a news conference outside Central Visual and Performing Arts High School following a school shooting on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, in the Southwest Garden neighborhood.
ºüÀêÊÓƵ Public Schools Superintendent Kelvin Adams steps away after speaking at a news conference outside Central Visual & Performing Arts High School following a school shooting on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, in the Southwest Garden neighborhood.