Multiple Injured In Pittsburgh, Brighton Heights Shooting; Pennsylvania Moms Demand Action, Students Demand Action Respond 

The Pennsylvania chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, released the following statements after a shooting in Pittsburgh on Friday afternoon that left six people wounded, with one person in critical condition. According to reports, the shooting occurred in the Brighton Heights neighborhood during a funeral for a person who was shot and killed last week in a shooting that also killed two women. The investigation is still unfolding, but police believe there was most likely more than one shooter. The shooting comes less than 24 hours after four people were shot in two separate shootings Thursday night in the neighborhoods of Spring Hill-City View and Perry South. 

“Our community is shaken, and we all have to do better to prevent these senseless acts of gun violence on our streets,” said Hadley Haas, a volunteer with the Pennsylvania chapter of Moms Demand Action. “Our city has a rich culture, and it should not be defined by gun violence. We need to work urgently and collaboratively with our lawmakers, law enforcement and community violence intervention programs to address the root causes of gun violence and reverse these violent trends.” 

Gun violence is prevalent in many U.S. cities. It spreads through social networks and intensifies long-standing inequities and public health disparities. Governor Tom Wolf announced a $355 million commitment to addressing community violence – of which $50 million is dedicated to violence intervention projects. It is vital that resources are invested in communities such as Pittsburgh to develop proactive solutions that will reduce gun violence.  

In an average year in Pennsylvania, 1,628 people die by guns, and 1,992 more are wounded by guns. Gun violence costs Pennsylvania $21.7 billion each year, of which $470.7 million is paid by taxpayers. More information on gun violence in Pennsylvania is available here.