Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin criticized over Chesapeake Walmart shooting tweet

In another shooting instance
in the United States, a gunman opened fire at a Walmart in Chesapeake, Virginia late on Tuesday, leaving ten people dead and several others injured. It marked
the 31st US mass shooting in November, again raising concerns over
increasing gun violence in the States.

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin also tweeted condemning the incident. He wrote, “Our hearts break with the community of Chesapeake this morning. I remain in contact with law enforcement officials throughout this morning and have made available any resources as this investigation moves forward. Heinous acts of violence have no place in our communities.” 

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However, his tweet was met with criticism from American gun violence prevention activist Shannon Watts, who quoted his tweet, writing, “The governor of Virginia – a lifetime NRA member – manages to tweet about the mass shooting at a Chesapeake Walmart without using the words gunman or shooting. Gun violence is political because NRA lobbyists pay our politicians for their inaction.”

Many Twitter users supported Watts’ statement, with one person writing, “He might as well have just typed ‘Blah Blah Blah’.” Failing to take any necessary actions to prevent shootings and not even acknowledging the terms related to gun violence is what is drawing criticism from the common people.

Also Read | Chesapeake Walmart massacre: 31st mass shooting in US in 22 days, 605th this year

Shannon Watts is the founder of Moms Demand Action, the largest group fighting against gun violence in the United States.

The suspect has been noted
as Andre Bing, the night manager of the store, although confirmation was not
made by the police authorities. Reports also suggested that the suspect killed himself
after the shooting.

Following the
shooting, Walmart issued a statement, saying, “We are shocked at this tragic
event. We are praying for those impacted, the community, and our associates. We’re
working closely with law enforcement, and we are focused on supporting our
associates.”

Also Read |Shooting in Walmart, Chesapeake in Virginia, multiple dead

Shortly after,
Virginia Senator L Louis Lucas expressed grief over the shooting. In a tweet,
she wrote, “I am absolutely heartbroken that America’s latest mass shooting
took place in Walmart in my district in Chesapeake, Virginia tonight. I will
not rest until we find solutions to end this gun violence epidemic in our country
that has taken so many lives. ”