San Jose Shooting: 'America's Disease;' Shooting At San Jose VTA Rail Yard Prompts Outpouring Of Reaction On Social Media
SAN JOSE (CBS SF) -- In the wake of the tragic events in San Jose Wednesday that left nine people dead, there was an outpouring of sympathy and condolences from officials on social media for the victims' families.
Vice President Kamala Harris, who grew up in the Bay Area, offered her first comment on the mass shooting Wednesday afternoon, calling it "absolutely tragic."
President Joe Biden issued a statement, which read in part, "There are at least eight families who will never be whole again. There are children, parents, and spouses who are waiting to hear whether someone they love is ever going to come home. There are union brothers and sisters – good, honest, hardworking people – who are mourning their own."
Biden, who ordered flags at half-staff, renewed calls for tougher gun legislation. "Every life that is taken by a bullet pierces the soul of our nation. We can, and we must, do more," the President said.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) said "the nation stands wit the San Jose community."
"All Americans join the San Jose community in sadness and shock over today's horrific mass shooting. As a Californian, I am personally devastated. Our prayers are with the loved ones of the victims, and our gratitude is with the first responders for their heroic actions," the speaker said.
Pelosi also urged passage of two measures addressing gun violence, saying "inaction is not an option."
Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla, also issued statements which urged passage of gun legislation.
"The common thread in every mass shooting is easy access to deadly weapons. We're the only country that experiences mass shootings on a regular basis, and it's largely because congressional Republicans refuse to take reasonable steps to reduce gun violence," Feinstein said.
Padilla said, "We cannot become numb to the horrific crisis of gun violence, and I am committed to passing commonsense legislation that will protect our communities. We must put an end to this disturbing cycle of tragedy."
My heart breaks for the San Jose community and for the families who tragically lost their loved ones in yet another senseless mass shooting. We must put an end to this disturbing cycle of tragedy. I am committed to passing commonsense reforms that will protect our communities.
— Senator Alex Padilla (@SenAlexPadilla) May 26, 2021
San Francisco Mayor London Breed and East Bay mayors Libby Schaaf of Oakland and Jesse Arreguin of Berkeley tweeted their support for the city of San Jose and Mayor Sam Liccardo.
Horrific news coming out of San Jose. I've reached out to Mayor Liccardo to offer my support and condolences. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families. https://t.co/5xzMGWYcPD
— London Breed (@LondonBreed) May 26, 2021
Devastating news in San Jose this morning, our sister city in the South Bay. We've sent officers to support and assist with logistics as the investigation unfolds, and we send our heartfelt prayers to the families of the victims on this tragic day.
— Libby Schaaf (@LibbySchaaf) May 26, 2021
My heart goes out to the people of #SanJose and the victims and families of the senseless #VTAShooting. It is imperative that action is taken to address gun violence or else the cycle of mass shootings will continue. Enough is enough.
— Jesse Arreguin #GetVaccinated (@JesseArreguin) May 26, 2021
California Attorney General Rob Bonta offered condolences and noted that "Gun violence is America's disease" in his post.
My heart goes out to the families of the victims of the tragic mass shooting today at the Valley Transportation Authority in San Jose.
— Rob Bonta (@AGRobBonta) May 26, 2021
Gun violence is America's disease.
Our office is in contact with our local partners and stands ready to provide assistance as needed.
San Jose Representative Ro Khanna also posted his sympathies after the shooting.
As we wait for the facts out of San Jose, my heart goes out to the families affected by this horrific tragedy. It's an unspeakable horror for our community and the VTA family. pic.twitter.com/rwkk0RUi12
— Rep. Ro Khanna (@RepRoKhanna) May 26, 2021
Later in the day, Khanna lamented about other communities that have dealt with similar tragedies.
This is happening in my community today. But we know it is happening in communities across our nation.
— Rep. Ro Khanna (@RepRoKhanna) May 26, 2021
We need real action now to address the gun epidemic.
Bay Area representative Eric Swalwell offered condolences and called on Republicans in the Senate to act.
As we wait for more information, my thoughts and condolences are with the San Jose community and the families affected by this unthinkable tragedy.
— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) May 26, 2021
Enough is enough. We simply don't have to live like this and it is time for Senate Republicans to find the courage to act. https://t.co/cN0vND23gB
The Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office posted a statement attributed to DA Jeff Rosen, offering sympathies and calling for an end to gun violence.
— Santa Clara DA (@SantaClaraDA) May 26, 2021
Other Bay Area transit services offered messages of support and sympathy, including officials from BART, AC Transit and the SFMTA.
Statement from BART General Manager Bob Powers on @VTA tragedy:
— BART (@SFBART) May 26, 2021
On behalf of everyone at BART, let me extend my heartfelt condolences to the VTA family, our partners in Santa Clara County, following the tragic incident this morning. 1/3
Statement from AC Transit General Manager Michael Hursh extends condolences and support to @VTA. Words cannot begin to express our transit district's heartache after learning of today's tragedy within the Valley Transportation Authority. 1/3
— AC Transit (@rideact) May 26, 2021
We are heartbroken for our South Bay colleagues @VTA and our deepest condolences go out to the entire VTA community.
— SFMTA (@sfmta_muni) May 26, 2021
Our thoughts are with @VTA employees today and we offer our steadfast support in their grief, shock, and sadness.
The Amalgamated Transit Union also issued a statement in the wake of the shooting, saying they were "shocked and deeply saddened" by the shooting.
— ATU, Transit Union (@ATUComm) May 26, 2021
Bay Area sports teams also acknowledged the tragic shooting, offering condolences to families impacted and thanks to first responders.
— San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) May 26, 2021
We are saddened and sickened after this morning's violence in our home of San Jose. Our prayers and thoughts go out to the victims, their families and the Valley Transportation Authority.
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) May 26, 2021
Thank you to our community heroes who responded quickly to the scene.
???? you, SJ. pic.twitter.com/NVRSANW7U9
We are saddened to learn about the horrific event in San Jose. Violence has no place in our community. Our thoughts are with the victims and those affected by this tragedy. We offer our thanks to the first responders and our condolences and support to the families of the victims.
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) May 26, 2021
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) May 26, 2021
Our hearts are with San Jose pic.twitter.com/pcknIhEbKz
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) May 26, 2021
We are deeply saddened by today's horrific shooting in San Jose. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and the entire San Jose community impacted by this senseless tragedy.
— SFGiants (@SFGiants) May 26, 2021