Four Adults and One Child Shot and Killed in Texas Domestic Violence Dispute; Moms Demand Action, Students Demand Action Respond

RICHMOND, TX. — The Texas chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, released the following statements in response to a deadly mass shooting in Fort Bend County early Saturday morning where four adults, including the shooter, and an 8-year-old child were shot and killed in an apparent domestic violence dispute. Three people, one adult and two children, survived the shooting uninjured. 

“Once again, Texas lawmakers’ blatant refusal to protect their constituents from gun violence has devastated our community,” said Leslie Morrison, a volunteer with the Texas chapter of Moms Demand Action. “We deserve to feel safe in our own homes. We cannot be silent as gun violence continues to cut the lives and futures of our children and family members short.” 

Gun violence and domestic violence are inextricably linked. This year, a case before the Supreme Court, United States v. Rahimi, has given the High Court the opportunity to protect survivors of domestic violence or side with the gun lobby in protecting the rights of abusers. In Texas, lawmakers’ “guns everywhere” agenda has no doubt played a critical role in the ongoing and deadly epidemic of domestic violence related homicide. 79% of female Intimate Partner Homicide (IPH) victims in Texas are killed with a gun whereas the national average is 66%. 

Texas has the 26th highest rate of gun deaths in the United States and some of the weakest gun laws in the country. Instead of further weakening the state’s gun laws, lawmakers should pass policies that will protect communities such as raising the age to purchase firearms and enacting an Extreme Risk law to empower loved ones or law enforcement to intervene to temporarily prevent someone in crisis from accessing firearms. 

In an average year, 3,996 people die by guns in Texas, and 5,556 more are wounded. Guns are the leading cause of death among children and teens in Texas. More information on gun violence in Texas is available here.