'We Must Act,' PA Gov. Says In Wake Of Two Weekend Mass Shootings

HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, while ordering the commonwealth flag be at half-staff to honor the victims of two weekend mass shootings, said Pennsylvania "can and must take action" to curb gun violence.

In a statement issued in the wake of the mass shootings in Texas and Ohio that left at least 29 dead, Wolf said “we can ban assault weapons and institute stricter background checks. We can make communities safer. We can target white nationalism and promote tolerance. We can invest in mental health care and help those struggling. We cannot accept this violence as normal. We must act.”

The commonwealth flag on all commonwealth facilities, public buildings and grounds will be at half-staff through Aug. 8 in honor of the victims of the shootings in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio. The United States flag has already been ordered to half-staff during this time.

The shooting in a Texas Walmart killed 20 on Saturday. Early Sunday, a shooting in Ohio killed nine.

“Frances and I are mourning an especially horrific 24 hours of gun violence in America. We’re praying for the victims of El Paso and Dayton, and the two young women shot in Philadelphia over the weekend. Many ills contribute to this rising violence. We can and must take action."

Other Pennsylvania lawmakers are calling for action following the string of gun violence.

"Once again, our nation is confronted with a mass shooting. As we all pray for El Paso, those of us in public office have an obligation to do more and take action on gun violence," Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey said on Twitter. "While we do not know that any one law or series of laws will eliminate the possibility of a mass shooting, we know that passing commonsense gun reform can reduce the likelihood of mass shootings."

Pennsylvania Senator Pat Toomey on Sunday Tweeted: "The mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton are the latest, horrific examples of the violent scourge that is gripping America. The perpetrators of these murders are cowards. We must do more to keep guns out of the hands of psychopaths."

He added: "While no law will end mass shootings entirely, it's time for Congress to act to help keep our communities safer. We should start by passing bipartisan proposals such as my legislation with Senator Joe Manchin to expand background checks to all commercial firearm sales."

Authorities are looking into whether the El Paso massacre was a hate crime after a gunman wielding an AK-47-style rifle opened fire Saturday morning in and around a Walmart store. Twenty people died and 26 more were hurt, officials said.

The shooter has been identified as Patrick Crusius, 21, of Allen, Texas. He had published a hate-filled manifesto online just 19 minutes before the first 911 call, The New York Times reported. The manifesto included anti-immigrant sentiments and referenced the mass slaughter in New Zealand, with the words printed over top an image of a naked man holding a black handgun. The graphic photo includes male genitalia and the American Flag.

The shooting early Sunday occurred in a Dayton neighborhood where patrons filled area bars and restaurants. The shooter has been identified as Connor Betts, 24, of Bellbrook, Ohio. He tried to enter Ned Peppers Bar and started shooting when he was denied entry, the Dayton Daily news reported, citing witnesses.

"He tried to go into the bar but did not make it through the door," Facebook user James Williams posted. "Someone took the gun from him and he got shot and is dead."

One of the victims in the Dayton shooting was Betts' 22-year-old sister, The New York Times reported.