Gunfire Erupts at Prairie View A&M University For the Second Time in Two Weeks, Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action Respond

WALLER COUNTY, Texas – 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 the second shooting in less than two weeks at Prairie View A&M University, a historically Black university, killing one employee. According to reports, the shooting took place at Governor Bill and Vera Daniel Farm and Ranch on campus and involved a current and former employee. Out of concern for their safety, all students and staff were asked to shelter in place and stay indoors for hours while law enforcement searched for the shooter. The suspect is now in custody.

“We are living in a vicious cycle of gun violence where we have less than two weeks to mourn one shooting before more shots ring out on campus,” said Chanelle Ferrell, a Senior at Prairie View A&M University, gun violence survivor, and volunteer with Texas Chapter Students Demand Action. “It doesn’t have to be this way. Thoughts and prayers mean nothing when students have to keep hiding and running for their lives, unsure if they will make it home from class alive. These shootings are preventable, but only if lawmakers have the courage and decency to act. Our lives are worth saving.”

Black Americans are nearly three times more likely than white Americans to die by guns, and 12 times more likely to die by gun homicide. Black Americans are also nearly three times more likely to be shot and killed by police, than white Americans. Time and time again, Black people in America bear the weight of our nation’s gun violence crisis. 

A new report from PERIL, SPLC, and Everytown for Gun Safety explores how young Americans think about and use guns, with the key findings further emphasizing that a majority of young people in America think that gun violence is a problem, and agree that more gun laws would help make our country safer. 51% of youth reported being worried about a shooting happening at their school or a school near them — and approximately 25% have experienced an active shooter lockdown.

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 and in the United States. More information on gun violence in Texas is available here.