AUSTIN, Texas —  Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa issued the following statement:

“Gun violence continues to ravage communities across the country, with the heartbreaking news today of a 14-year-old opening fire into classrooms and hallways of Apalachee High School. Tragically, this is a pain that we in Texas know all too well, having endured the horrors of Robb Elementary and Santa Fe High School. As we witness more shootings in 2024 than we’ve had days in the year, it’s clear that reckless gun laws—like those in Texas, Georgia and other states—are failing to protect our children. The absence of background checks, licenses to carry, required training, and red flag laws is not just negligence; it’s a recipe for disaster that endangers the lives of all of us.

“Students, teachers and parents deserve to live without the fear of gun violence in our schools, yet we find ourselves mourning another senseless tragedy. Our hearts are with the Winder community as they grapple with the devastation of what should have been a normal school day. We will continue to pray for the lives shattered by this tragedy and continue to work for a future where our schools are safe havens – not sites of terror and loss.”

###