The United States has faced a string of mass shootings as of late. Some people are even speculating that unstable people got inspired by the tragedies in Uvalde, Texas and Buffalo, New York.
Mass shootings have inflamed political tensions over gun control, mental health reforms, and more. Already, Congress is working on a bipartisan gun control bill.
This legislation has, ironically, faced bipartisan condemnation. Republicans view the bill as an assault on lawful Americans’ Second Amendment rights. Democrats believe the gun control legislation is too watered down.
Unfortunately, yet another mass shooting has broken out. This one occurred on Thursday at Alabama’s St. Stephens Episcopal Church, per Fox News.
The Latest Mass Shooting in the United States
On Thursday evening, a gunman opened fire at the church in central Alabama. Thus far, at least two casualties have been reported, while several injuries have been sustained.
Vestavia Hills police confirmed that a shooter is in custody in relation to the incident. However, authorities haven’t gone into explicit details about the losses, the extent of injuries suffered, or other related details.
🚨#BREAKING: Mass shooting at a Church in Vestavia Hills, Alabama⁰
📌#Vestavia | #AlabamaRight now multiple authorities are responding to Multiple people shot at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Vestavia Hills reports are saying One person is dead with multiple others injured pic.twitter.com/yi6Sx6sZY9
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) June 17, 2022
At this time, it’s been confirmed that people at St. Stephens Episcopal Church were having dinner when the gunman entered and began opening fire.
In the days to come, Americans are likely to get more details about the shooter’s motivations, the complete number of casualties, and other information that relates to Thursday’s tragedy.
Gov. Kay Ivey released a statement amid reports of the mass shooting. The governor expressed she’s glad to learn the shooter is in custody and is extending prayers to victims’ relatives.
Ivey likewise stated an incident like this should never occur, whether in a church, elementary school, or elsewhere.
Healing and More
On social media, Americans have been making their condolences known and sounding off about the situation.
Many stated more gun control needs to occur, owing to the latest mass shooting. Certain people have even been taking shots at Republicans, concealed carry laws, and gun rights policies in general.
"We're gonna need a lot of love." Rev. Kelley Hudlow with the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama at the scene of a shooting at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Vestavia Hills: https://t.co/QPHOxh4aFv pic.twitter.com/p8QwPpEioE
— #WVTM13 (@WVTM13) June 17, 2022
This shooting in Central Alabama is sure to only further ignite the flames of political debates on guns, mental wellness, and other similar issues.
It remains to be seen whether or not this shooting plays a hand in gun control legislation that Republicans and Democrats are working on in Congress.
Some people have questioned whether or not a larger agenda exists behind the sort of back-to-back mass shootings that seem to be happening in the country as of late.
Are you surprised to learn yet another mass shooting has taken place? What all do you think will follow the tragedy out of Central Alabama? In the comments feed down below, please don’t hold back your thoughts about this.
