Gov. Malloy Issues Statement On Synagogue Mass Shooting

HARTFORD, CT — Governor Dannel P. Malloy and Lieutenant Nancy Wyman today released the following statement regarding the mass shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. Eleven people are confirmed dead.

Gov. Malloy said in a statement: "We mourn with Pittsburgh and the Tree of Life community on this dark day. Today's senseless attack is yet another tragic reminder that hatred, intolerance, and violence consume the hearts of too many individuals. It is unconscionable that people continue to be targeted for death because of the religion they practice, country of their birth, who they love, or the color of their skin.

No one in this great nation should ever fear violence at their place of worship—just as no student should ever fear violence at their school, no employee should fear violence at their place of work, and no concertgoer should fear violence at a public event. But as mass shootings continue, the reality is that Congress does nothing; as blood continues to be senselessly spilled, Washington complicity caves to the will of the gun lobby. Enough is enough. We have proved in Connecticut that commonsense gun laws can prevent shootings and save lives. It's time for action, not thoughts and prayers, and this nation deserves a Congress that will take the gun violence epidemic seriously."

>>>Patch's live coverage of the mass shooting can be found here.

Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman said in a statement: “My heart breaks for the victims and first responders involved in today’s shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. A place of worship should be one of the safest places in our society. Unfortunately, horrendous acts of violence and hate crimes like this have become our new norm. As a nation, we need to come together and utilize our vote in next week’s election to prevent these acts from happening in our communities.”

Image via Jessica Hill/AP