There have been two shootings since Black Friday: one at a Planned Parenthood clinic, and one at a center for people with developmental disabilities.
On Friday, three people were shot and nine were wounded under open fire at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs. Of the three victims killed, one was a police officer, one was a mother, and one was a veteran. None of them were working at the clinic.
According to CNN, 57-year-old Robert Lewis Dear has been held on suspicion of conducting the shootout in the clinic. Dear has a history of federal charges, including domestic assault and animal cruelty. Although Dear’s motives for the attack are still considered unclear, most assume that he targeted Planned Parenthood because of his own anti-abortion beliefs.
The National Abortion Federation stated that there have been around 1,500 acts of vandalism and 400 death threats toward abortion clinics since 1977. There have also been over 200 bombings and arson attacks on abortion clinics. The shooting this past Friday sparked strong emotions from both sides of the ongoing abortion debate.
“Everyone can have their opinions about abortion, but it’s still really wrong that someone was willing to shoot innocent people at a clinic,” said sophomore Josh Gomez.
On Wednesday, there was a mass shooting inside the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, around 60 miles from Los Angeles. While 14 deaths and 17 injuries have been confirmed, CBS Los Angeles stated in a live newscast that there could be more. Police confirmed that they believe there were most likely three shooters.
According to ABC7 News, the Inland Regional Center is a non-profit agency that provides support for those who suffer from developmental disabilities within the area. A lunch banquet for health department employees was occurring when three gunmen entered the room.
In a live newscast, San Bernardino Police Department Chief Jarrod Burguan told CBS Los Angeles, “We don’t know what the motive is at this point. All I’m comfortable saying right now is that they came in with a mission.”
Burguan also stated that the three suspects were carrying long guns and fled the area immediately proceeding the attacks. Security cameras are going to be checked for any potential footage that can give information about the shooters.
President Barack Obama commented on the frequent amount of shootings this past year.
“What we do know now is that our country has a pattern of mass shootings unlike any other country in the world,” President Obama told CBS News, “There are steps we can take to lessen the amount of shootings, including stricter gun laws with background safety checks.”
Carlmont students like senior Emily Naismith were upset and shocked after hearing news of both shootings, and also believe that stricter laws are necessary.
“The attacks aren’t going to end unless there are stricter gun laws. I’m worried that there will continue to be mass shootings because there were so many this year. Change should be made quickly so that no more innocent people can lose their lives,” said Naismith.
