A student from the Florida high school that was the scene of a mass shooting Wednesday called out U.S. President Donald Trump over his offering of “prayers and condolences.”
WATCH: President Trump says they will do ‘whatever they can’ for Florida school
READ MORE: Trump points finger at mental health after Florida shooting, silent on gun control
The student, named Sarah Chadwick, who attends Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, responded to the president’s post on Wednesday evening, in which he wrote: “My prayers and condolences to the families of the victims of the terrible Florida shooting. No child, teacher or anyone else should ever feel unsafe in an American school.”
(WARNING: Tweet contains explicit language)
The poignant message was retweeted thousands of times, as officials revealed details of the shooting which left 17 dead and several others injured.
WATCH: Students, parents react to Florida school shooting
-
![]()
17 people dead following Florida school shooting -
![]()
Florida school shooting: Student reporter interviews fellow classmates while on lock down -
![]()
Florida school shooting: Student describes football coach who died shielding students from gunfire -
![]()
Student describes joking with Florida school shooting suspect as both were evacuating -
![]()
Florida school shooting: Students, parents reunited hours after deadly attack -
![]()
Parent describes texting with daughter during Florida school shooting
Many politicians made similar calls for stricter gun control.
Among them was Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy, who said Congress was to blame for the numerous school shootings that have recently taken place in the country.
READ MORE: Suspected gunman in Florida high school shooting had ‘disturbing’ social media posts, police say
“This happens nowhere else other than the United States of America, this epidemic of mass slaughter, the scourge of school shooting after school shooting,” he said Wednesday, while speaking in the Senate.
WATCH: Connecticut Senator speaks of congressional inaction during active school shooting in Florida
“It only happens here not because of coincidence, not because of bad luck, but as a consequence of our inaction.”
Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet also demanded action, tweeting: “When did mass shootings become a normal part of American life?”
Bennet then offered his thoughts to the victims, acknowledging they “are not enough.”
Several Republican politicians also spoke out after shooting, offering their prayers.
Tweets by some politicians garnered more fury than praise, with many responding that “thoughts and prayers” won’t solve the country’s gun violence problem.
READ MORE: Florida school shooting suspect Nikolas Cruz charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder
Among those criticizing the politicians was Bess Kalb, a writer for the Jimmy Kimmel Live show. Kalb responded to the politicians’ tweets by revealing how much in campaign donations they received from the National Rifle Association (NRA).
According the L.A. Times, the gun rights advocacy group spent a total of $54.4 million durng the 2016 election campaign — the newspaper explains the money was used “for or against a candidate but not a direct contribution to a campaign.”
Out of that amount, $52.6 million was spent on Republicans, and Democrats received $265.
WATCH: More coverage of the Florida high school shooting
-
![]()
Florida school shooting suspect arrives at Broward County jail -
![]()
At least 17 killed in Florida school shooting -
![]()
At least 17 confirmed fatalities in Florida school shooting -
![]()
‘Absolutely pure evil’: Gov. Rick Scott on Florida school shooting -
![]()
Florida AG says state will help victims of school shooting -
![]()
Students surprised as police burst into classroom with guns drawn in Florida school shooting -
![]()
Law enforcement questioning 19-year-old suspect Nikolas Cruz in Florida school shooting
The NRA spent more than $30 million to help elect Trump as president, including about $19 million on attack ads aimed at his opponent Hillary Clinton.
Trump spoke out about the shooting further on Thursday, blaming the incident on the shooter’s mental health.
WATCH: President Trump delivers message directly to ‘America’s children’
Nikolas Cruz, 19, has been charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder.
“So many signs that the Florida shooter was mentally disturbed, even expelled from school for bad and erratic behavior,” he tweeted.
In a televised statement hours later, he reiterated the same sentiment, saying he plans to visit the school soon.
READ MORE: Florida school shooting: Football coach ‘died a hero’ after shielding students from gunfire
He did not take questions from media on gun control.
Comments