Everytown, Kansas Moms Demand Action Respond to Wednesday’s Shooting at a Bar in Olathe, Currently Being Investigated As a Possible Hate Crime

TOPEKA, Kan. – Everytown for Gun Safety and the Kansas chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today responded to Wednesday’s fatal shooting at a bar in Olathe, which the FBI is investigating as a possible hate crime.

According to information made public by law enforcement officials, a 51-year-old shooter shot Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, and two other people at an Olathe bar at approximately 7:15 p.m. on Wednesday night. Kuchibhotla died at an area hospital and the other two victims were injured. According to media reports, the shooter was reportedly heard using racial slurs and telling two of the victims, each of Indian descent, to “get out of my country” before opening fire.

STATEMENT FROM LEANNA BARCLAY, VOLUNTEER WITH THE KANSAS CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:

“Our hearts go out to the Kuchibhotla family and to the two surviving victims and their loved ones. We must continue to urge our lawmakers to reject dangerous policies that make our communities more susceptible to the type of tragedy that occurred in Olathe, including allowing guns in places that serve alcohol, like bars. Although the investigation into Wednesday’s shooting is still ongoing, the list of hate-fueled tragedies in this country is long, and we know that guns help make hate deadly. It’s clear we have to do more to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people.”