Prominent figures from both Hollywood and Washington, D.C., expressed their sadness and outrage at the latest mass shooting to hit America, after more than 20 people were shot dead on Sunday at a Baptist church in Sunderland Springs, Texas.
President Donald Trump, who just began a lengthy foreign policy trip in Asia, offered his prayers to those affected and said that he will continue to monitor the situation from Tokyo.
May God be w/ the people of Sutherland Springs, Texas. The FBI & law enforcement are on the scene. I am monitoring the situation from Japan.
– Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 5, 2017
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Gov. Greg Abbott also expressed their condolences, along with Hollywood figures like Lady Gaga, Reese Witherspoon, Stephen King, Sophia Bush and Sarah Silverman.
According to media reports, a lone gunman wearing combat gear entered the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, just outside of San Antonio, and opened fire.
Initial reports said that at least 27 people were killed, including at least one child, and another 30 were injured.
Texas authorities confirmed that the suspect was also killed; his identity and motive were not immediately known.
Several actors in Hollywood have frequently called for stricter gun regulation and condemned the National Rifle Association in the wake of recent mass shootings, most notably the one that occurred last month at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas that killed 59 and wounded hundreds more in the deadliest shooting in modern U.S. history.
A similar reaction could be seen in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy in Texas.
Keeping all harmed in Sutherland Springs in our prayers and grateful for our brave first responders on the scene.
– Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) November 5, 2017
Prayers for #SanAntonio and all the families who are suffering the loss of loved ones. I’ll pray also for #GunControl
— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) November 5, 2017
I am absolutely heartbroken over the shooting today in #SutherlandSprings Texas. 💔 #PrayForTexas #EnoughIsEnough #StopGunViolence pic.twitter.com/g42789PiBq
— Reese Witherspoon (@ReeseW) November 5, 2017
How many more have to die before we enact sane gun control laws?
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) November 5, 2017
Love to the dear folks and families and friends to those lost in today’s Sutherland Springs shooting. We are all in this together.
— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) November 5, 2017
My God.
Sutherland Springs, #Texas— Sean Astin (@SeanAstin) November 5, 2017
https://twitter.com/DebraMessing/status/927282740051021825
https://twitter.com/DebraMessing/status/927283607072153600
20+ dead in a small town church. 500+ shot in Vegas. If this isn’t a public heath crisis, what is? This sure isn’t freedom.
— Andy Richter (@AndyRichter) November 5, 2017
https://twitter.com/kumailn/status/927286271344386050
The @NRA is a terrorist group who control congress with $$$. Nothing will change until that stops.
#Orlando #Vegas & #SutherlandSprings https://t.co/7rAbJTyEKK
— Lenny Jacobson (@Lennyjacobson) November 5, 2017
The population of Sutherland Springs is 643.
At least 50 of them just got shot.
That's one in 12 of the entire community. #SanAntonio— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) November 5, 2017
My heart hurts for the people of Sutherland Springs, Texas. This has to stop.
— bob saget (@bobsaget) November 5, 2017
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the souls lost and their families and friends in this horrific #churchshooting in Sutherland Springs, TX
— Al Roker (@alroker) November 5, 2017
Local official says 27 people were shot and killed, dozens injured. Heart with Sutherland Springs, Texas at this terrible time
– Mia Farrow (@MiaFarrow) November 5, 2017
No words. My heart is broken for Sutherland Springs, TX and for 2017 America. Please let’s all come together
– Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) November 5, 2017
Our prayers are with all who were harmed by this evil act. Our thanks to law enforcement for their response. More details from DPS soon. https://t.co/KMCRmOPkiM
– Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) November 5, 2017
Our thoughts and prayers are with the community/people of #SutherlandSprings #Texas #shooting Reportedly 27 dead 24 injured #SundayMorning ???? pic.twitter.com/dwtlrbWX8q
– La Toya Jackson (@latoyajackson) November 5, 2017
Texas. I love you. ??’”
– Sophia Bush (@SophiaBush) November 5, 2017
Just nothing. No words. Numb. Again. May everyone affected in Texas rest in and find peace.
– josh groban (@joshgroban) November 5, 2017
Mass carnage in Sutherland Springs.
We can do better than this.
The idea of zero new gun safety laws isn’t just idiotic it’s murderous.– Adam McKay (@GhostPanther) November 5, 2017
.@nra you are a terrorist organization. you aid, abet, and protect terrorists.
– Timothy Simons (@timothycsimons) November 5, 2017
okay don’t politicize texas but this means we can finally politicize las vegas, right?
— Timothy Simons (@timothycsimons) November 5, 2017
nah bro they need to not be fucking dead by gun violence fucking do something you coward https://t.co/J6rI3EgsRE
— Timothy Simons (@timothycsimons) November 5, 2017
No. No. No. Texas Church Shooting Leaves More Than 20 Dead, Official Says https://t.co/dEwIOgNBXe #GunControlNow
– Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) November 5, 2017