Here is what President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, California and local leaders are saying about the mass shooting at a Valley Transportation Authority facility in San Jose on Wednesday, May 26, 2021. Nine VTA employees, including the gunman, died.
San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo
“We are in a very dark moment, but I am heartened to see the response of the VTA family for coming together to help their coworkers. We are going to do everything we can to support the families of those who lost their loved ones.
“Our hearts are pained for the families of those we have lost in this horrific shooting . . . This is a moment for us to come together and grieve after today’s horrific tragedy.”
Complete coverage of the VTA mass shooting.
Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen
“It’s very raw. People are grieving. They’re learning they’ve lost a husband, brother or son. It’s awful. When people go to work in the morning and kiss their loved one goodbye, they don’t think it’s goodbye forever.
“We have stopped many mass shootings through our aggressive efforts and gun violence restraining laws, and enforcing those and removing guns from the hands of felons and cracking down on those guns, including assault weapons from our county. But unfortunately, as we see, it only takes one incident. We have to be perfect to stop all of these killings and we try our very best.”
Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez
“My heart is just broken for the families that lost loved ones today, and for everyone at the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority who lost friends and colleagues. VTA workers have been heroes for more than a year now. Throughout the pandemic, even during the worst surges, light rail never stopped running. The buses never stopped running. The Gilroy Garlic Festival Shooting happened less than two years ago and now our community is facing another horrific gun-related crime, more senseless deaths, and shattered families. As we grieve for the victims, and help and comfort the survivors, we should all commit to the work that needs to be done so this does not happen again. Please help support the victims and their families of this senseless tragedy at act.wpusa.org.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom
“There’s a sameness to this, and a numbness I think is something we’re all feeling. It begs the damn question, ‘what the hell is going on in the United States of America?’”
“We join San Jose and the labor community in grieving the victims of yet another horrific act of gun violence today. Jennifer and I send our heartfelt condolences to their friends and families and to all who have been impacted by this tragedy. We are resolved to bring meaning to this tragic moment with real action to curb the gun violence crisis in our country. We must address the root causes of these devastating acts at every level of government. My Administration continues to work closely with local and state law enforcement as we monitor the situation and we thank our courageous first responders for their lifesaving action today.”
Congressman Ro Khanna
“While much still remains to be confirmed at this time, one thing is abundantly clear: the gun violence epidemic will continue to rage unless we take concrete action to protect our country. It was our community today, but it will be someone else’s tomorrow. My heart is shattered thinking of the lives lost, as well as the families & communities upended by this senseless tragedy. These were some of our frontline heroes, who kept the South Bay moving through the worst of the pandemic. Over eighty percent of Americans want common sense gun control measures. Background checks, ‘red flag’ laws, and longer waiting periods are all within reach. When I head back to Washington, I will continue to push for this urgently needed legislation.”
Congresswoman Anna G. Eshoo
“Tragedy has struck in our region with 8 lives reported lost from the mass shooting at the VTA in San Jose, and an unknown number of wounded. My prayers are with the families and my gratitude goes to all the first responders.”
Senator Dianne Feinstein
“Once again we’re dealing with the tragic aftermath of another mass shooting, this time at a San Jose rail yard where an employee killed at least eight people. My heart goes out to those victims and their families whose lives were shattered today. The common thread in every mass shooting is easy access to deadly weapons. We’re the only country that experiences mass shootings on a regular basis, and it’s largely because congressional Republicans refuse to take reasonable steps to reduce gun violence. Democrats have proposed measures to curb this epidemic, including universal background checks, banning high-capacity ammunition magazines and military-style assault weapons, banning untraceable ‘ghost’ guns, raising the age to buy an assault rifle, and giving families and law enforcement the ability to petition a court to temporarily remove guns from individuals who intend to harm themselves or others. “It’s time to pass these commonsense proposals to end the scourge of mass shootings. Ignoring the problem is not an option. We must do more to stop this violence.”
Senator Alex Padilla
“My heart breaks for the San Jose community and for the families of those who tragically lost their loved ones today in yet another senseless mass shooting. We cannot become numb to the horrific crisis of gun violence, and I am committed to passing commonsense legislation that will protect our communities. We must put an end to this disturbing cycle of tragedy. My office will continue to monitor the situation as it unfolds, and I will do everything I can to ensure San Jose receives the support it needs during this difficult time.”
President Joe Biden
“We are still awaiting many of the details of this latest mass shooting, but there are some things we know for sure. There are at least eight families who will never be whole again. There are children, parents, and spouses who are waiting to hear whether someone they love is ever going to come home. There are union brothers and sisters – good, honest, hardworking people – who are mourning their own.” (Read the full statement here.)
Vice President Kamala Harris
“It’s absolutely tragic. My prayers and thoughts are with all of those families affected.”