As news about the mass shooting at Umpqua Community College in Oregon emerged on Thursday, both Democratic and Republican presidential candidates weighed in to reporters and on Twitter. Republican frontrunner Donald Trump told the Washington Post that the incident is “absolutely a terrible tragedy” that “sounds like another mental health problem.”
Happened to get a call from Donald Trump a moment ago. Asked him about his thoughts on the Oregon shooting. Quote: pic.twitter.com/i9ytO9i67j
— Philip Bump (@pbump) October 1, 2015
He added that mass shootings are “happening more and more” — the Oregon shooting is the 45th shooting at a school in 2015 and the 142nd shooting since the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012. He also said “we have to get to the bottom of it” without mentioning any kind of gun reform.
Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton told reporters in Massachusetts that “it is beyond my comprehension that we are seeing these mass murders happen again and again and again.”
“We have got to get the political will to do everything we can to keep people safe. I know there is a way to have sensible gun control measures that help prevent violence, prevent guns from getting into the wrong hands and save lives. And I am committed to doing everything I can to achieve that,” she said.
Here is what Hillary Clinton said to me about the Oregon shooting after her event in MA. pic.twitter.com/uWrU9ykj09
— Dan Merica (@danmericaCNN) October 1, 2015
Other candidates tweeted their reactions:
Praying for Umpqua Community College, the victims, and families impacted by this senseless tragedy.
— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) October 1, 2015
My heart is with those who lost so much today in Oregon. -O’M
— Martin O'Malley (@MartinOMalley) October 1, 2015
My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families of this terrible tragedy at Umpqua Community College.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) October 1, 2015
The thoughts and prayers of Ohioans go out to the families & victims of the tragic shooting in Oregon today. -John
— John Kasich (@JohnKasich) October 1, 2015
It's with a heavy heart that we all pray for those killed or injured in Oregon today. #UCCShooting
— George E. Pataki (@GovernorPataki) October 1, 2015