On a day that should have been filled with routine academic hustle, a chilling act of gun violence erupted in the parking lot of Stewartville High School. In the calm town just south of Rochester, Minnesota, a student was injured following the shooting incident, sparking a response from the community and lawmakers alike. The DFL Minnesota Legislative Rochester Delegation, consisting of local voices like Rep. Tina Liebling, Rep. Andy Smith, Rep. Kim Hicks, and Sen. Liz Boldon, was quick to address the unacceptable tragedy that unfolded.
In a release featured on the Minnesota Senate DFL website, the delegation expressed their concern, stating, "This morning, another community was left forever changed by gun violence." With gratitude towards the law enforcement's swift action, they highlighted an underlying issue: "However, this is yet another chilling example of the threat our students feel every single day." Acknowledging the pressures high school students face, they continued, "High schoolers should be focused on things like exams and how they’re going to spend winter break – not what to do in an active shooter situation," the statement said.
The response of the delegation also carried a powerful call to action. They empathized with the injured student and their family for facing "the unimaginable" and stated their readiness to pass common sense gun legislation that research has shown will curb gun violence in Minnesota. The urgency was clear, as the delegation pointed out, "Our communities cannot afford for us to wait any longer – we must unify to take swift and decisive action," according to the Minnesota Senate DFL.
Reflecting the collective heartache and the resolve to make a change, the delegation made an appeal to their GOP colleagues, "It’s time for our GOP colleagues to join us, for them," according to the Minnesota Senate DFL.
