Maryland Moms Demand Action, Students Demand Action Statement on Shooting of High School Students Outside West Baltimore Shopping Center

The Maryland chapter of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots networks, released the following statement in response to a shooting yesterday afternoon in west Baltimore outside of Edmondson Village Shopping Center in which one high school student was shot and killed and four others shot and wounded. According to reports, two shooters fired multiple rounds of gunfire while a group of Edmondson Westside High School students were standing outside on their lunch break. 

“Four days into the New Year and our kids in Baltimore can’t even get through their first week of classes without being shot and killed,” said Darlene Cain, a volunteer with the Maryland chapter of Moms Demand Action. “How many more of our kids will die before we act? We need our lawmakers and Governor to act quickly this upcoming session to pass and thoroughly implement gun safety laws, work collaboratively with our local governments, and ensure sustainable investment in community violence intervention programs.” 

While there is no one solution to end gun violence, Community Violence Intervention Programs play a key role in making cities safer. Organizations like ROCA Baltimore, and Baltimore’s Safe Streets program have been working to prevent gun violence. By utilizing a public health model, community-led programs have been shown to reduce gun violence in some of the most heavily impacted neighborhoods. While these programs are often uniquely situated to address violence in their communities, they need support from policymakers in order to sustain and expand their life-saving work. Leaders and legislators must invest in these community-driven, evidence-based interventions. More information about city gun violence is available here.

In an average year in Maryland, 743 people die by guns and 1,363 people are wounded. Gun violence costs Maryland $10.5 billion each year. More information on gun violence in Maryland is available here.