Calls for action follow quickly on heels of shooting

The nation's latest mass slaying brought reactions from far and near Thursday, with the first calls for action coming while tears still flowed in a community shocked by the carnage in Wilkinsburg.

Former U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle “Gabby” Giffords, a shooting victim herself, and her husband, retired NASA astronaut Capt. Mark Kelly, issued a statement through the organization they founded for gun-violence prevention.

“Once again, gun violence has torn apart one of America's communities. Once again, unsuspecting Americans spending time with loved ones and friends became the target of a hail of bullets. And once again, innocent lives have been taken away, and families changed forever,” Americans for Responsibly Solutions said in the statement. “We cannot let armed ambushes become the new normal in our country. We have to do better than this.”

Unknown gunmen late Wednesday opened fire on people gathered for a backyard barbecue. Six died and three were wounded.

“My thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those killed and injured last night — and with all Pennsylvanians who are on edge as these shooters remain on the loose,” said Wilkinsburg Mayor John Thompson, a member of Mayors Against Illegal Guns. “While details are still unfolding, I can say for certain that there is more we can do to reduce the senseless violence that claims 91 American lives every day — and injures hundreds more.”

Gov. Tom Wolf, who was in Pittsburgh for a scheduled appearance, called the mass killing an act of “senseless violence” and expressed his “sincere sadness.”

“We need to make sure that we assure people who want to use guns for recreation they have that right, that right enshrined in the constitution,” Wolf said at Wigle Whiskey in the Strip District. “That right does not extend to criminals. That right does not extend to the people who are going to shoot people at backyard parties.”

The governor called on Harrisburg lawmakers to offer more support for mental-health and education funding and for communities plagued by violent crime.

The state chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, said the Wilkinsburg killings make at least 147 mass shootings that have occurred in America since 2009 and the sixth this year.

“I am heartbroken for the families whose loved ones were killed, and livid that five people were killed senselessly. None of us should have to be afraid to have a barbecue on a warm spring night, or to go to school, church or the movies,” said Elizabeth Pagel-Hogan, a volunteer with the advocacy group. “Congressional and Pennsylvania lawmakers can and should do more to combat gun violence.”

One such lawmaker — U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Scranton — posted a reaction on Twitter.

“Mourning the loss of life after shooting in Wilkinsburg,” Casey tweeted. “We must take action to #stopgunviolence.”

John Fetterman, the Democratic mayor of nearby Braddock and a U.S. Senate candidate, addressed what he called a “horrific mass shooting” via Twitter.

“There are no words,” he posted.

Jason Cato is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 412-320-7936 or jcato@tribweb.com.

Reporter Melissa Daniels contributed.