On the night of Monday, April 25, a Little League game in North Charleston, South Carolina was interrupted by dozens of gunshots.
Blake Ferguson—a parent filming the game—captured the moment children and coaches looked around in fear and confusion, threw themselves on the ground or ran for cover as parents left the stands in search of safety.
No one at the field was physically injured by the estimated 30 shots fired. Parents reported their children were traumatized by the unexpected gunfire, however.
You can see Good Morning America's coverage of the incident here:
The scene—gun violence impacting children in the United States—is all too commonplace.
Shannon Watts—founder of the United States' largest grassroots group fighting against gun violence Moms Demand Action—shared Ferguson's now viral video of the frightening scene on Twitter with a call to action.
Watts urged:
"We don’t have to live like this. Children should never be traumatized like this."
"The midterm elections are less than 200 days away. Use your voice and vote on the issue of gun violence prevention."
We don\u2019t have to live like this. Children should never be traumatized like this. \n\nThe midterm elections are less than 200 days away. Use your voice and vote on the issue of gun violence prevention. \n\nText READY to 644-33.pic.twitter.com/Hcb9Wfc21j— Shannon Watts (@Shannon Watts) 1650978963
Former Obama Secretary of State Hillary Clinton concurred with Watts assessment.
Sharing Watts' post, Secretary Clinton tweeted:
"Republican state legislators and governors could be a part of the solution to stop gun violence."
"But they'd rather sell out children's safety for campaign contributions from the gun lobby."
Republican state legislators and governors could be a part of the solution to stop gun violence. But they'd rather sell out children's safety for campaign contributions from the gun lobby.https://twitter.com/shannonrwatts/status/1518923967930814468\u00a0\u2026— Hillary Clinton (@Hillary Clinton) 1650986129
The former Democratic presidential candidate—winner of the 2016 popular vote—echoed the sentiments of many fed up with the prevalence of gun violence and gun rights advocates in the GOP.
pic.twitter.com/JgoUbQDWnK— A Mere Citizen (@A Mere Citizen) 1650986197
Had a coworker whose husband had guns. Considered a good guy with a gun I'm sure. He would take his wife to the range to shoot. His wife filed for divorce and he shot her than killed himself. He was a good guy with a gun, until he wasn't. Left 3 parentless kids behind.— Rivera (@Rivera) 1650980267
pic.twitter.com/oAnFNe22pv— \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\u2764\ud83c\udf3bSeaSideChic \ud83d\udca5Stop Putin\ud83d\udca5 (@\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\u2764\ud83c\udf3bSeaSideChic \ud83d\udca5Stop Putin\ud83d\udca5) 1650998428
pic.twitter.com/EvrGlOgrVx— Spring 2022 is HERE!! \ud83c\udf3c\ud83c\udf38\ud83c\udf3a\ud83c\udf33 (@Spring 2022 is HERE!! \ud83c\udf3c\ud83c\udf38\ud83c\udf3a\ud83c\udf33) 1650984394
The gun law should be like the abortion one too.— Robin (@Robin) 1650993557
Many were critical of GOP priorities and what the Republican party thinks protects children.
Fascinating how they're more concerned with kids experiencing "discomfort, anguish, or distress" over an accurate portrayal of US history than they are with kids experiencing discomfort, anguish, or distress from bullets tearing holes in their bodies.— James HG Redekop \ud83c\udf3b\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08 (@James HG Redekop \ud83c\udf3b\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08) 1651011567
My friend (a Mom) asked her 8-year-old daughter, "Did you hear about the mass shooting?" Her daughter asked, "Where did this one take place?" "At a school." Her daughter replied, "That's the classic."\n\nThat's the classic...— Kevin Nelson (@Kevin Nelson) 1650980806
Repeaters result in mass injuries and deaths. We must update our gun laws.pic.twitter.com/G1c0pbZOS2— MarieTheBorderCollieLover\ud83c\udf0a\ud83c\udf3b\ud83c\udf3b\ud83c\udf35 (@MarieTheBorderCollieLover\ud83c\udf0a\ud83c\udf3b\ud83c\udf3b\ud83c\udf35) 1650989860
According to North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey, the city is focused on finding those responsible for this latest incident of gun violence.
They are offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
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