Mario Tama/Getty Images EL PASO, TEXAS - AUGUST 04: A sign is posted near the scene of a mass shooting at a Walmart which left at least 20 people dead on August 4, 2019 in El Paso, Texas. A 21-year-old male suspect, identified as Patrick Crusius from a Dallas suburb, surrendered to police at the scene. At least 26 people were wounded in the shooting. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
After Saturday’s mass shooting at an El Paso Walmart and Cielo Vista Mall, where 20 people were killed and more injured, Dallas Cowboys players sparked dialogue about guns and rallied support for the victims and their families.
Their support came in a series of social media posts by players within the organization surfaced throughout Sunday morning and into the afternoon.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones made this statement, according to USA TODAY’s Jori Epstein:
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on #ElPasoShooting: “We all want to think how can we make different those issues. I’m sure all Americans are thinking that way.”
Hall of Fame Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith said on Twitter:
My heart goes out to the victims and families following this weekend’s events. #PrayersForElPaso #PrayersForDayton
George Iloka Fuels Dialogue
Many players offered “thoughts and prayers,” while Texas native and Cowboys safety George Iloka started a dialogue about gun violence and how to deter it on his Twitter account:
IIoka proposes changes to help gun violence:
Mental health evaluation for starters.
Universal background checks.
More restrictions on certain classes of weapons.
Drug test.
Complete restrictions on private sells.
He takes on more questions from followers or otherwise:
People lock their doors because it makes it harder for burglars to break in. You don’t leave your key in the ignition and wonder why some drove off with your car. It’s about making things harder and less accessible for criminals.
He continues to interact with his followers:
So why do we have any laws then. Why just compete anarchy.
He continues to facilitate a dialogue with one of his followers:
Don’t live in absolutes. Nothing can prevent everything. Just like seatbelt don’t save lives every time. But they sure do help.
Other Players’ Comments
Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis joined Iloka on Twitter to make a statement:
That being said, Im praying for everyone in El Paso and Dayton.
Defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence sends his prayers to the El Paso community:
Prayers up 🙏🏿 to the El Paso community! #senselessviolence
Cowboys defensive end Tyrone Crawford also sends his prayers to the El Paso community.
COWBOYS NATION! Please join me in Praying 🙏🏽 for those directly affected by the shooting in El Paso! So Sad.
The Texas-based team had players use their platforms to share many thoughts and prayers in the aftermath of the incident. Some also spoke out against guns on Twitter. Many current and former people associated with the National Football League also chimed in on the matter over the last 24 hours.
Heavy will continue to add Cowboys’ posts as they become available to us.
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El Paso Shooting
On Saturday, the gunman, Patrick Crusius, opened fire at the El Paso Walmart and was later taken into custody by Police. He killed 20 people and injured many more in the attack.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott said Crusius’ crimes will be prosecuted “as both a capital murder but also as a hate crime,” according to BBC News.
Abbott described it as “one of the most deadly days in the history of Texas,” according to BBC News.
At least 20 people have been killed and many more injured in a mass shooting in the Texas city of El Paso
Governor Greg Abbott described it as “one of the most deadly days in the history of Texas”
[Tap to expand] t.co/v0U6XP9gRM
Police reported that the gunman posted a four-page letter online which had white nationalist sentiments. The attack was followed up by another incident in Dayton, Ohio overnight.
Police in Dayton, say nine people were killed and at least 16 injured in the early-Sunday shooting, according to The Associated Press on Twitter.
Heavy has plenty of coverage on both El Paso and Dayton shootings.
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