Florida Moms Demand Action, Everytown Respond to Shooting at Forest High School in Ocala

Reports Indicate One Student Was Shot and Sustained Injuries That Are Not Life Threatening; the Suspected Shooter Is in Custody

Shooting Occurred as Countless Students and Teachers Mark National Day of Action Against Gun Violence, and 19 Years After Mass Shooting at Columbine High School

OCALA, Fla. – The Florida chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today responded to news of a shooting at Forest High School in Ocala. While details are still unfolding, reports indicate that one student was shot and sustained injuries that are not life threatening. The suspected shooter, who is also a student, is in custody. At this time it is not clear if the shooting was intentional.

The shooting at Forest High School comes on the heels of a new poll that found a majority of teenagers in America worry that a shooting could happen at their school. Today, students around the country are taking part in a national day of action against gun violence on the 19-year mark of the Columbine school shooting.

STATEMENT FROM GAY VALIMONT, VOLUNTEER LEADER WITH THE FLORIDA CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:

“As a mother, every time shots are fired on school grounds in America, I think of the parents who are forced to wait for information about the safety of their children. This time, parents were asked to meet at a local church to reunite with their kids. I urge everyone to think about the students who evacuated their school today at the sound of a gunshot and the parents who waited at that church. If this makes you angry, sad or frustrated, tell your elected leaders that you expect them to do more to prevent gun violence in our communities.”