White House Acting Chief Of Staff: Trump Rhetoric 'Not To Blame' For White Nationalist Shootings

Acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney told ABC News reporter Jon Karl that Donald Trump's heated racial rhetoric is not to blame for the rash of recent mass shootings by white nationalist terrorists.

"This is a serious problem ... but they are sick, sick people and the president knows that ... I don't think it's fair to try and lay this at the feet of the president."

"This is a serious problem ... but they are sick, sick people and the president knows that ... I don't think it's fair to try and lay this at the feet of the president," Mick Mulvaney says when asked why Trump downplayed the threat of white nationalism. https://t.co/6OolEGh96x pic.twitter.com/wex0S7AV3F

— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) August 4, 2019

Acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney says President Trump is "sad" and "angry" about the mass shootings.

"The first call he made yesterday was to the attorney general to find out what we could do to prevent this type of thing from happening" https://t.co/6OolEGh96x pic.twitter.com/PtGxq5qs61

— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) August 4, 2019

Mulvaney's title is 'Acting' Chief of Staff for a reason. He's merely an actor in Trump's reality show, saying the lines he's given.

WATCH: Eddie Glaude Jr. says White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney can't "acknowledge" that shootings in El Paso and Dayton are domestic terrorism because of the shooters' race. @esglaude: "I can give less than a damn what Mick Mulvaeny thinks about what I say." pic.twitter.com/YItQ4zPSnM

— Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) August 4, 2019

Buttigieg: U.S. Is "Under Attack From Homegrown White Nationalist Terrorism"

Mayor Pete Buttigieg speaking in Las Vegas, NV

Mayor Pete Buttigieg told attendees at a labor union forum in Las Vegas Saturday that the United States is "under attack" by white nationalists carrying out deadly mass shootings across the country, and those white nationalists have become emboldened by Donald Trump.

Buttigieg was speaking at a forum in Las Vegas sponsored by the public-sector labor union AFSCME.

News of the recent mass shooting at an El Paso Walmart broke during the event.

Eschewing his prepared introductory remarks, Buttigieg addressed the tragedy head-on.

“America is under attack from homegrown white nationalist terrorism,” Buttigieg said in his opening remarks. “White nationalism is evil. And it is inspiring people to commit murder, and it is being condoned at the highest levels of the American government, and that has to end.”

When asked his thoughts on Trump's position on white nationalists, Buttigieg said the president “at best condones and encourages white nationalism."

View this post on Instagram

America is under attack from homegrown white nationalist terrorism. That ideology is evil. It is being condoned at the highest levels of our government. And today it inspired a gunman to claim at least 20 lives in El Paso. Enough is enough. We have an obligation to act.

A post shared by Pete Buttigieg (@pete.buttigieg) on Aug 3, 2019 at 5:41pm PDT

Buttigieg also called for stricter gun control laws across the country.

“We are the only country in the world with more guns than people,” said the 37-year-old White House contender. “It has not made us safer. We can respect the Second Amendment (on gun rights), and not allow it to be a death sentence for thousands of Americans.”

Among several policies he shared that would help stem the tide of gun violence were:

• Implementing universal background checks for firearm purchases

• Banning the sale of high capacity magazines

• Allowing the Centers for Disease Control to research gun violence

• Passing “red flag” laws that remove firearms from at-risk people, such as those convicted of domestic violence


Buttigieg also said there should be stricter regulations for military-style firearms often used in mass shootings.

“Weapons of war have no place in American neighborhoods,” said the Afghanistan war veteran.

Buttigieg addressed the lack of leadership on gun violence by the president today.

"Will the President of the United States leave his golf resort, go back to Washington, address the nation, condemn—in no uncertain terms—white nationalism, and call for the Senate to convene tomorrow to enact at least the most basic gun safety reforms that most Americans want?"

Will the President of the United States leave his golf resort, go back to Washington, address the nation, condemn—in no uncertain terms—white nationalism, and call for the Senate to convene tomorrow to enact at least the most basic gun safety reforms that most Americans want? pic.twitter.com/GEVLkLuWei

— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) August 4, 2019

Mass Shooting In El Paso Leaves At Least 20 Dead

Another mass shooting has taken place, this time at a Walmart store in El Paso, Texas.

CNN reports:

Multiple people were killed Saturday in a shooting in El Paso, Texas, according to local police.

Authorities do not believe there is an ongoing threat, El Paso Police Sgt. Enrique Castillo told reporters.

Three suspects were in custody, El Paso Mayor Dee Margo told CNN's Wolf Blitzer.

Castillo previously said there was one person in custody.

At least 11 people have been transported to Del Sol Medical Center, according to hospital spokesman Victor Guerrero.

The AP reports the suspect taken into custody is a 21-year-old Dallas-area man named Patrick Crusius.

A Twitter account in the suspect's name “Patrick Crusius,” using the handle @outsider609 included several tweets supporting President Donald Trump.

A January 2017 tweet said, “#BuildTheWall is the best way that @POTUS has worked to secure our country so far!”

Police say they found what appears to be a manifesto on the shooter's computer. The first two lines read, "In general, I support the Christchurch shooter and his manifesto. This attack is in response to the Hispanic invasion of Texas."

This was the shooters letter on his computer. the reason for the shooting in El Paso was because of racism. this doesn’t come as a surprise and I’m extremely disgusted. #ElPasoShooting pic.twitter.com/CyvSUXEp0L

— 𝖎𝖘𝖆𝖎𝖆𝖍 (@WokeTheFuckUp) August 3, 2019

Note - the shooter was not Muslim, he was not Black. He is a home-grown domestic terrorist. No wall or Muslim ban would have stopped this shooting.

Earlier this week, three people were shot and killed at the Gilroy Garlic Festival in California and two employees were fatally shot at a Walmart store in Southaven, Mississippi.

I'm certain 'thoughts and prayers' are on their way.

As many as 20 are dead. 21-year-old man is in custody. We cannot lose our capacity to be shocked and care about this issue. Demand more from our politicians.https://t.co/lTB8ATeeYf

— Amy Siskind 🏳️‍🌈 (@Amy_Siskind) August 3, 2019

Patrick Crusius is a White Supremacist in custody for the #walmartshooting that took 19 lives and injured 40 others in El Paso, TX.

Yet ANOTHER example of a mass shooting that a damn wall can't stop.

The "president" STILL refuses to call White Supremacists a terror threat.

— BrooklynDad_Defiant! (@mmpadellan) August 3, 2019

Patrick Crusius, 21

From Allen, Texas

White supremacist

Trump supporter

Murdered 20 at Walmart, El Paso, TX

Used an AK47

No wall or muslim ban would’ve keep him out.

Where was he radicalized?#WalmartShooting#VanillaISIS pic.twitter.com/dL2ufbwExH

— Bishop Talbert Swan (@TalbertSwan) August 3, 2019

News Round-Up: June 13, 2019

Opening night of 'Potted Potter' in Las Vegas

Some news items you might have missed:

• I attended the opening night of the hit two-man play Potted Potter at Ballys Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas last night. The show, which parodies all 7 books of the Harry Potter series in 70 minutes, has been running for years in the UK. The original stars opened the show here and I was thrilled to take my uber-handsome god son, Josh, to the performance.

• During an appearance on Watch What Happens Live, John Cena talked about getting 'accidental boners' during wrestling matches.

• Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) somehow 'straight-washed' his proclamation observing the 3rd anniversary of the Pulse Nightclub shooting. DeSantis blamed the missing mention of the LGBTQ community on staffers. It was later added to the proclamation.

• A mother in South Carolina was arrested after walking into an elementary school and confronting her son's bullies.

• The Australian man accused of killing 51 worshippers at two mosques in New Zealand in March pleaded not guilty to all charges in a court on Friday.

• The 20 Democratic presidential candidates who qualified for the first Dem debates have been announced:

BREAKING: DNC announces the names of the candidates who will appear in the first Democratic Debates on June 26 & 27 from Miami. @chucktodd: "After months of campaigning and polling, the stage is now set." pic.twitter.com/fQbafzHr26

— Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) June 13, 2019

Florida Lawmakers Propose Declaring Pulse Nightclub A Federal Landmark

The temporary memorial at Pulse Nightclub

As the nation remembers the tragedy of the mass shooting at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida, three years ago today, Florida lawmakers in Congress have begun plans to have the nightclub declared a national monument.

CNN reports that during a memorial ceremony on Monday, Reps. Stephanie Murphy, Val Demings and Darren Soto shared their plans to sponsor landmark legislation, H.R. 3094. Soto said he would like to see the legislation pass by June 2020.

Our efforts to designate #Pulse a National Memorial honors lives of 49 victims, survivors, and their loved ones. It’ll serve as a reminder of us coming together to heal and overcome hate. #PulseMemorial will be a symbol of hope, love, and light for our #OrlandoStrong community. pic.twitter.com/lnUrmOnKxG

— US Rep. Darren Soto (@RepDarrenSoto) June 10, 2019

The local non-profit OnePulse Foundation would retain control of the design and construction, but the designation would make the monument eligible for federal funds as part of the National Park System.

If passed, work to build a permanent memorial would begin by 2021.

Nearly three years after the @pulseorlando tragedy, our local congressional representatives are seeking to make this hallowed ground a National Memorial. Despite that act of hate, this is a place of tremendous love. @onePULSEorg #WeWillNotLetHateWin pic.twitter.com/mYoOYAHE9y

— Orange County Sheriff's Office (@OrangeCoSheriff) June 10, 2019

In the early morning hours of June 12, 2016, lone gunman Omar Mateen entered Pulse Nightclub and opened fire killing 49 people and injuring more than 50 more. During the crisis, Mateen told police he considered himself a soldier of ISIS.

At the time, it was the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.

Two years later, a temporary memorial in front of the nightclub.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued an executive order on Tuesday commemorating June 12 as Pulse Remembrance Day, and directed all state flags in the state to be flown at half-mast from sunrise to sunset on Wednesday.

Here's part of the memorial service and announcement held on Monday:

Student Blames Chelsea Clinton For New Zealand Massacre?

Chelsea Clinton (image via Twitter)

A video showing a Muslim student blaming a very pregnant Chelsea Clinton for the anti-Muslim massacre of 49 people in New Zealand instantly went viral.

The moment took place at a vigil to honor the victims gunned down at two New Zealand mosques.

Clinton, pregnant with her third child, displays extraordinary composure while an angry student alleges Clinton's recent commentary about anti-Semitic comments by Rep. Ilhan Omar about a pro-Israel lobby, helped cause the massacre in New Zealand.

“This, right here, is a result of a massacre stoked by people like you and the words that you put out into the world,” the student tells Clinton. “And I want you to know that and I want you to feel that deep down inside. Forty-nine people died because of the rhetoric you put out there.”

“I’m so sorry you feel that way,” Clinton replies in the video. “Certainly, it was never my intention. I do believe words matter. I believe we have to show solidarity.”

Another student snaps at Chelsea: “What does ‘I’m sorry you feel that way’ mean? What does that mean?”

So, now, it's Chelsea Clinton's fault a violent gun massacre took place in New Zealand???

Here is a pregnant Chelsea Clinton being accosted in public by NYU students blaming her for the New Zealand massacre. You are free to have your opinion, but how you express yourself matters. Note how Clinton never shuts down or stops listening, despite not deserving any of this. pic.twitter.com/V6XcC3lWCB

— Amee Vanderpool (@girlsreallyrule) March 16, 2019

@ChelseaClinton, your grace and composure is a lesson for me daily ❤️🙌

— Esther Choo MD MPH 🙋🏻‍♀️ (@choo_ek) March 16, 2019

I know that on my best day I have 1/10 the grace that she has, but damn I aspire to be more like her. And I wish that people would knock it off with the misdirected anger.

— Miranda Yaver (@mirandayaver) March 16, 2019

The girl in the video shut down her Twitter for a while, but apparently reactivated it today.

It seems she's something of a homophobe and racist. These tweets were culled from her account.

She also appears to be a Bernie Sanders supporter which might explain things a bit more.

"There is no proof the young woman who accosted Chelsea Clinton is a Bernie supporter."

Except she is and there are receipts. Whoopsie doodle... pic.twitter.com/8vuvZc4lEz

— Christopher Bouzy (@cbouzy) March 16, 2019

Cameron Kasky To Attend State Of The Union Address

Cameron Kasky at the March for Our Lives (screen capture)

The Washington Post reports one of the survivor activists from the mass shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida will attend this year’s State of the Union address next Tuesday as the guest of a Democratic congressman.

Rep. Eric Swalwell of California has invited activist Cameron Kasky to join him at the SOTU next week.

In the aftermath of the deadly shooting that left 17 dead, Kasky co-founded Never Again MSD, an advocacy group that lobbies for stricter gun laws. He also helped organize the March for Our Lives protest that took place in Washington, D.C. last March.

Kasky famously told CNN shortly after the shooting, “My message for the people in office is: You’re either with us or against us. We are losing our lives while the adults are playing around.”

Swalwell said in a statement he personally admires the “remarkable strength” Kasky has shown since the “unimaginable” shooting at Stoneman Douglas.

“He stands at the forefront of the fight for action to address gun violence,” said Swalwell. “I’m proud to have Cameron join me at the U.S. Capitol, nearly one year after he faced a horror no kid should endure at school, to continue this fight, because there is no right more important than the right to live.”

Swalwell has called for legislation banning military-style semiautomatic weapons. He is also reportedly considering a run for the White House in 2020.

Kasky joked on his Twitter that he would be running himself in 2020, co-opting Barack Obama’s campaign slogan a bit with #YesWeCam.

And, yes, I am running #Kasky2020 #YesWeCam

— Cameron Kasky (@cameron_kasky) February 1, 2019

California: Shooting In Thousand Oaks Bar Leaves 12 Dead

Another mass shooting has occurred, this time in a bar in Thousand Oaks, California, that left 12 dead.

The incident began at approximately 11:20pm at the Borderline Bar and Grill,  which was holding its regular "College Country Night."

The shooter has been identified as a former U.S. Marine who may have been coping with post-traumatic stress disorder, according to the L.A. Times.

Ian David Long, 28, lived in Newbury Park, not far from the club where he threw smoke bombs and rained bullets on a crowd of more than a hundred people Wednesday night.

Sheriff Geoff Dean said his department had had several interactions with Long, including a call to his home in April for a complaint of disturbing the peace. Deputies at the time said Long was irate and acting irrationally, Dean said. They called in mental health professionals to evaluate him, and they concluded he did not need to be taken into custody.

In the neighborhood where Long lived, residents said they were well aware of his problems.

Richard Berge, 77, said the former Marine had PTSD and was known to kick in the walls of the home. Long lived with his mother, Berge said.

“She’s a very sweet woman, but she had a lot of problems with the son,” Berge said. “I just know he tore the house up.”

Long was dressed in black when he burst into the Borderline Bar & Grill, a country-music-themed venue popular with college students, around 11:20 p.m. He drove his mother’s car to the bar and did not say anything before opening fire, a law enforcement official said.

The shooter was armed with a Glock 21 .45-caliber handgun with an extended magazine that he purchased legally in Simi Valley, Dean said. A source said he also had a “smoke device.”

Sgt. Ron Helus, a 29-year Sheriff’s Department veteran who was planning to retire next year, was the first to enter the bar. He suffered severe wounds and later died in the hospital.

He is survived by a son and his wife, whom he called before entering the bar, Dean said.

No motive has been determined.

12 dead in mass shooting at Borderline Bar and Grill in Thousand Oaks, California https://t.co/lWf49W7eup pic.twitter.com/cy6kmnBgYi

— TIME (@TIME) November 8, 2018

Before all the pro-gun people whip out their favorite talking point, Thousand Oaks did have a security guard. He was the first one murdered.

— David Leavitt (@David_Leavitt) November 8, 2018

There were six off-duty police officers in the Thousand Oaks bar at time of shooting. “They stood in front of my daughter”, Sheriff says he was told by parent of survivor.

— Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) November 8, 2018

This is Ventura County Sherrif’s Sgt. Ron Helus, killed as he responded to stop the mass shooting at Borderline Bar and Grill in Thousand Oaks, CA. He was a 29-year vet nearing retirement, a husband, and a father.

“He died a hero. He went in to save other people.” RIP. pic.twitter.com/yUGTCYwnei

— Willie Geist (@WillieGeist) November 8, 2018

And right-wing loons immediately tried to set the narrative that the shooter was "Middle Eastern."

Thousand Oaks shooter identified as Ian David Long, a white former US Marine. As usual Prison Paul was ahead of the curve this morning, he has since deleted this tweet. pic.twitter.com/RMhn4kCVd6

— Henry Langston (@Henry_Langston) November 8, 2018

Report: Synagogue Shooting Occurred During Ceremony For Gay Couple's Children

The mass shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue yesterday that left 11 dead and six more injured happened during a ceremony for the children of a gay couple.

According to local LGBTQ group, The Delta Foundation of Pittsburgh, the deadly attack occurred during a bris, the Jewish rite of male circumcision, for the couple's adopted twins.

We were just informed that this morning's tragedy was happening during a Briss for a set of twins adopted by a gay couple.

Our hearts and prayers go out to all that were involved including the members of the Synagogue, law-enforcement and first responders.

We have witnessed the worst of America this morning in our town Pittsburgh. More than ever we must come together as people and change the temperament of our country.

After surrendering to police, assailant Robert D. Bowers said he "wanted all Jews to die," according to a Pittsburgh police report.

Bowers was charged with 29 criminal accounts by federal officials.

Chad Griffin, president of the Human Rights Campaign, issued a statement which read, in part, "Our hearts are with the community of the Tree of Life Synagogue, the first responders who bravely rushed into danger to save lives, the people of Pittsburgh, and all those impacted by this tragic act of hate violence."

Donald Trump, true to form, told reporters that gun laws had "little" to do with the shooting.

“If they had protection inside, maybe it could have been a different situation,” Trump said.

Mind you, four police officers - who are well-trained in using firearms - were injured during the shooting.

After the massacre, the Trumpster called for bringing "back the death penalty" through legislation even though the death penalty is legal in Pennsylvania.

A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to raise funds for the victims of the shooting and their families. At this writing, the campaign has raised almost $400,000.

Trump Twitter Rants About Baseball Hours After Mass Shooting Leaves 11 Dead

Donald Trump

On a day that saw a mass shooting where 11 people were killed at a Pittsburgh synagogue, Donald Trump surprised some on Twitter when he took time to tweet a comment on World Series Game 4.

The tweet criticized the LA Dodgers manager for pulling pitcher Rich Hill from the game which saw the Boston Red Sox go on to win 9-6, taking a 3-1 lead in the series.

Watching the Dodgers/Red Sox final innings. It is amazing how a manager takes out a pitcher who is loose & dominating through almost 7 innings, Rich Hill of Dodgers, and brings in nervous reliever(s) who get shellacked. 4 run lead gone. Managers do it all the time, big mistake!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 28, 2018

Earlier in the day, Trump condemned the shooting as an “assault on humanity” and an “evil anti-Semitic attack.” He also suggested that if the worshippers in the synagogue had had guns, things might have turned out differently.

He also attended a campaign rally just hours after the shooting. He defended his campaign appearance by erroneously telling the crowd that the New York Stock Exchange was open the day after 9/11.

(pssst - it wasn't)

Trump is holding a campaign rally in IL tonight.

He went to great lengths to explain how the NYSE was opened the day after 9/11 to justify holding a campaign rally after the Pittsburgh #synagogueshooting.

NYSE was closed from 9/11-9/17.pic.twitter.com/SoeCRNhvrY

— Holly Fιɢυeroα O'Reιlly (@AynRandPaulRyan) October 27, 2018

In the past, presidents have usually adopted a more somber public face for at least a few days after a national tragedy. Like this from former President Barack Obama.

We grieve for the Americans murdered in Pittsburgh. All of us have to fight the rise of anti-Semitism and hateful rhetoric against those who look, love, or pray differently. And we have to stop making it so easy for those who want to harm the innocent to get their hands on a gun.

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) October 27, 2018

Twitter noticed the difference in approach.

There was a shooting at a synagogue today. 11 people were killed. Earlier this week, there was mass assassination attempt by a proud MAGA supporter. Also, a man shot and killed two black people in Kentucky and said, "whites don't shoot whites." What is wrong with you? https://t.co/kOJOMNiBWj

— Wajahat Ali (@WajahatAli) October 28, 2018

I think you meant to say:
I am having a real difficult time sleeping tonight. The horrible events of today are weighing heavily on my mind. I can’t help but to take some of the blame for this terrible politically charged time we are in. I’m sorry and I will do better.

— Frank Williams (@fkwilliams207) October 28, 2018

A mass shooting occurred killing innocent people and here you are tweeting about a baseball game. Real presidential 😑

— Cassidy #bluenami (@Cassidy_79) October 28, 2018

Every hour, every day you diminish the dignity of the Presidency. pic.twitter.com/HqrheKReUh

— bibliojoan 📖 🌊🌊🌊🌊 (@bibliojoan) October 28, 2018

Four Dead As Maniac Opens Fire At A Pittsburgh Synagogue

Terrible news as there has been yet another mass shooting in America today.

A gunman entered a synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, this morning and opened fire as parents and family were celebrating the birth of a child.

The synagogue was hosting a bris. Parents, perhaps for the first time, were marking the birth of their son just eight days prior — a profound and emotional moment in their collective lives — and a maniac burst in and opened fire.

During a bris.

From The New York Times:

An official in Pittsburgh reported that at least four people were dead and at least 12 people had been shot after a gunman opened fire at a synagogue on Saturday morning.

Erika Strassburger, the city councilwoman for the district that includes the synagogue, the Tree of Life Congregation, said the gunman had surrendered to the police after being barricaded in the building and had been taken to the hospital.

Three police officers were shot but their injuries were not life- threatening, she said.

Asked by reporters about the horrific incident, Donald Trump blamed the victims, not the hate, saying if they had had guns things "maybe nobody would have been killed except him."

President Trump: "This would be a case for if there was an armed guard inside the temple, they would've been able to stop him, maybe there would've been nobody killed except for him" pic.twitter.com/dxf45rGhXr

— NBC News (@NBCNews) October 27, 2018

Donald Trump on Pittsburgh shooting at synagogue: “To see this happening again and again and again, it's just a shame.”

He's asked if there's anything that can be done: “Look at the violence all over the world. The world is violent. The world is a violent world." pic.twitter.com/lx4HfBmThf

— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) October 27, 2018

Texas: Mass Shooting At High School Outside Houston Leaves At Least 8 Dead

A mass shooting at a high school outside Houston, Texas, has left at least 8 people dead and a suspect, 17-year-old Dimitrios Pagourtzis, in custody.

From The New York Times:

Here’s what we know:

• The Santa Fe Independent School District said in a tweet that “explosive devices” had been found both on the campus and in surrounding areas.

• The school district said the situation at the school, in Santa Fe, Tex., began at about 7:45 a.m. Friday, just after the start of the school day.

• Sheriff Ed Gonzalez of Harris County said it appeared that “eight to 10” people had been killed, most of them students. None of the victims were immediately identified.

NEW: Santa Fe shooting suspect has been identified as 17-year-old Dimitrios Pagourtzis, law enforcement sources tell CBS News https://t.co/oqRZUFvJK4 pic.twitter.com/LNUDlIk1sA

— CBS News (@CBSNews) May 18, 2018

The Parkland high school students, who know a thing or two about mass shootings at schools, tweeted their support and predicted what's to come from this new gun massacre.

Emma Gonzalez rightfully points out that "thoughts and prayers" won't be enough; David Hogg warned of politicians who "act like they give a shit" when they're just looking out for approval numbers; and Cameron Kasky warns that students who rise up with be called "crisis actors."

At least 8 students have been shot and killed at Santa Fe High School.

Prepare to watch the NRA boast about getting higher donations.

Prepare to see students rise up and be called ‘civil terrorists’ and crisis actors.

Prepare for the right-wing media to attack the survivors.

— Cameron Kasky (@cameron_kasky) May 18, 2018

Get ready for two weeks of media coverage of politicians acting like they give a shit when in reality they just want to boost their approval ratings before midterms.

— David Hogg (@davidhogg111) May 18, 2018

Santa Fe High, you didn’t deserve this. You deserve peace all your lives, not just after a tombstone saying that is put over you. You deserve more than Thoughts and Prayers, and after supporting us by walking out we will be there to support you by raising up your voices.

— Emma González (@Emma4Change) May 18, 2018

Naked Nashville Waffle House Gunman Taken Into Custody

Travis Reinking

UPDATE: Nashville Police say they have arrested shooting suspect Travis Reinking in a wooded area near the apartment complex where he lived.

According to reports, he was wearing a backpack with a loaded handgun and ammunition when he was taken into custody.

**************************

A shooting at a Nashville Waffle House has left four people dead as the naked gun man remains at large.

From The New York Times:

The shooting happened around 3:25 a.m. at a Waffle House in the Antioch neighborhood of Nashville. A patron wrestled away the gunman’s rifle, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department said on Twitter.

Three people died at the scene and one person was declared dead at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, the police said.

Jennifer Wetzel, a spokeswoman for the medical center, said one wounded victim was in critical condition and the other was in critical but stable condition.

Two other victims were treated for minor injuries and discharged from TriStar Southern Hills Medical Center in Nashville, said Katie Radel, a spokeswoman there.

The police said they had identified a vehicle registered to a 29-year-old Illinois man they described as a person of interest and said he was later seen wearing black pants and no shirt.

Twenty-nine year-old Travis Reinking of Illinois is being sought as a person of interest in the shooting.

BREAKING: Travis Reinking, 29, of Morton, IL, is person of interest in Waffle House shooting. Vehicle the gunman arrived in is registered to him. Gunman last seen walking south on Murfreesboro Pike. He shed is coat and is nude. See Reinking? Pls call 615-862-8600 immediately. pic.twitter.com/duoWCo5fC0

— Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) April 22, 2018

Dozens Injured As Active Shooter Attacks YouTube Headquarters

According to Newsweek, The San Bruno Police Department scanner said 37 people were transported to nearby hospitals after an active shooter situation was reported at YouTube's headquarters in California.

Developing story...

More from MSNBC and Fox News:

LIVE: NBC News Special Report: Latest on shooting at YouTube headquarters in California. https://t.co/yos5ADozGj https://t.co/SH01WmZLTV

— NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (@NBCNightlyNews) April 3, 2018

"I was trying to find tools to help her and I found a bungee cord and I tied that around her leg to stop the blood flow...She was scared." Eyewitness describes helping woman with gunshot wound near @YouTube headquarters. https://t.co/FNBrozuksO pic.twitter.com/jFU0shX7IM

— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 3, 2018

Family That Took In Florida Shooter Speaks To GMA

Kimberly and James Snead of Coral Springs, Florida, took in Nikolas Cruz,  the 19-year-old who killed 17 people at a Florida high school last week, after his adoptive mother passed away in November.

The Sneads told Good Morning America this morning in their first interview since the shooting tragedy they saw no signs of possible violence from Cruz.

Via HuffPost:

“I still can’t process it because this isn’t the person we knew,” Kimberly Snead continued. “Not at all.”

“Everything everybody seems to know, we didn’t know,” James Snead said on “Good Morning America.” “We had rules and he followed every rule to the T. ... He was very polite. He seemed normal.”

“As far as the animal killings, he never did anything like that at our house,” he said. “We have animals and he loved our animals. Our animals loved him.”

Cruz was charged Thursday with 17 counts of premeditated murder. He is being held without bail. Kimberly Snead described being overcome with emotion when she first saw Cruz at the police station after the shooting.

“I really wanted to strangle him more than anything,” she said. “I tried to reserve myself. I said, ‘Really, Nik? Really?’ I yelled at him. He mumbled something, but I didn’t hear him. He said he was sorry. ... I was just furious and heartbroken.”

“I can’t imagine the pain [the victims’ families] must be feeling,” she said. “Nothing that we can say is going to be any kind of help. We’re very sorry that they had this experience and it never should have happened.”

Watch the interview below.

FULL INTERVIEW: "I still can’t believe what he’s done.” The family that took in the Florida shooting suspect speaks out, sitting down with @michaelstrahan in their first TV interview since the shooting: https://t.co/ACQcOyfQRq pic.twitter.com/axoxIzYEvf

— Good Morning America (@GMA) February 19, 2018

Former FBI Agent Has Had Enough Of The Mass School Shootings

Just when you think we might grow immune to these mass shootings (like the GOP has), today we saw a tough, experienced former FBI agent break down in tears over today's shooting in Florida.

Philip Mudd is about as tough as you can get. He's interviewed terrorists without blinking.

“I have ten nieces and nephews,” Mudd said. “We’re talking about bump stocks, we’re talking about legislation. A child of god is dead. Can we not acknowledge in this country that we cannot accept this?”

“I can’t do it, Wolf,” he told CNN’s Wolff Blitzer. “I’m sorry, I can’t do it.” Blitzer mercifully moved on to another analyst.

I've never seen him get emotional in any way when explaining the whys and wherefores of terrorist events.

This is rough. America has had enough.

Thanks for the prayers and condolences, but can our lawmakers do SOMETHING?

Wow, Philip Mudd, a former FBI agent who has interviewed terrorists broke down crying talking about the latest school shooting pic.twitter.com/Kp4rMfcS3L

— Salvador Hernandez (@SalHernandez) February 14, 2018

(h/t JoeMyGod)

Florida: Numerous Fatalities Reported At Broward County High School

From The New York Times:

Numerous fatalities were reported in a shooting on Wednesday afternoon at a high school about an hour northwest of Miami.

The authorities said there were 14 victims, but did not say if they were injured or dead. The Broward County Public Schools confirmed fatalities, but would not say how many. Television images showed students running away from the school, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High, and law enforcement officers around the building.

The Broward County sheriff’s office wrote on Twitter that the suspect is now in custody and the scene is still active.

“The shooter was not a current student,” Sheriff Scott Israel said on Twitter.

Senator Bill Nelson told MSNBC there were multiple fatalities. Two hospitals, Broward Health North in Pompano Beach and Broward Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale, received multiple patients, according to Jennifer Smith, a spokeswoman for the hospitals.

“There are numerous fatalities. It is a horrific situation,” Robert W. Runcie, the Broward schools superintendent, told CNN. “It is a horrible day for us.”

Donald Trump and the Republicans have refused to take any consequential measures or enact any meaningful legislation in an effort to regulate guns, bullets, or accessories like "bump stocks" used in the nation's deadliest mass shooting last year in Las Vegas.

This is the 19th school shooting this year.

The good news is Donald Trump just tweeted his "prayers and condolences" so everything should be just hunky dory. That'll fix everything, right?

My prayers and condolences to the families of the victims of the terrible Florida shooting. No child, teacher or anyone else should ever feel unsafe in an American school.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 14, 2018

I know, right? It's almost like doing absolutely nothing to stop school shootings hasn't worked at all. https://t.co/IKsBhhh6IZ

— shauna (@goldengateblond) February 14, 2018

Florida has higher rate of gun deaths than the national average & has relatively lax gun laws:

-- No license for firearm owners

-- No background check for transferring firearms

-- No regulations on assault weapons

-- Firearm dealers don't need a license

— igorvolsky (@igorvolsky) February 14, 2018

7 dead, 14 injured in Parkland. @realDonaldTrump sends thoughts and prayers. @FLGovScott sends thoughts and prayers.
Our children are dying as you soak in your @NRA money! https://t.co/wpJ98hG0HL

— Amy Siskind (@Amy_Siskind) February 14, 2018

Just spoke to Broward School Superintendent. Today is that terrible day you pray never comes.

— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) February 14, 2018

You voted against background checks. https://t.co/Hhu2mhGi0g https://t.co/q8nYFWY4qw

— Ian Millhiser (@imillhiser) February 14, 2018

If only you had the power to do something about it other than post bible verses 🤔 https://t.co/MJpbC8CJEl

— Tony Posnanski (@tonyposnanski) February 14, 2018

Like clockwork:

- NRA goes quiet

- Republicans tweet thoughts & prayers

- twitter bots say don’t politicize

But you’re damn right I’m politicizing. These massacres are a political choice to do nothing. #Parkland

— Jack Miller (@politicalmiller) February 14, 2018