Americans Affected by Gun Violence in Washington This Week to Demand That Congress Take Action to End Gun Violence
120 Survivors and Family Members in DC as Part of Mayors Against Illegal Guns' Demand A Plan Campaign; www.DemandAPlan.org
More than Twenty Survivors and Family Members Attending State of the Union
WASHINGTON, Feb.12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 120 survivors and family members affected by gun violence will be in Washington this week as part of Mayors Against Illegal Guns' Demand A Plan campaign for common-sense gun law reforms that will help end the gun violence that kills 33 Americans every day. Survivors and family members are coming from at least 21 states and Washington, DC.
As part of their meetings with members of Congress this week, survivors and family members will advocate for legislation that will:
- Require every gun buyer to pass a criminal background check
- Get military-style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines off our streets
- Make gun trafficking a federal crime.
Full list of survivors and family members in Washington this week to lobby on behalf of common-sense gun reforms follows. Those attending State of the Union noted by asterisk.
*** Please contact Mayors Against Illegal Guns for pre-SOTU analysis or post-SOTU reaction from survivors or family members***
Arizona
Nancy and Troy Bowman – Nancy, a nurse, and her husband David, a doctor, were at the Safeway when the shooting began, and they treated the victims until the paramedics arrived. David treated every victim, and Nancy attended to Judge Roll (who did not survive), Pam Simon (who was shot in the chest and survived) and Suzi Hileman (who was shot in the chest, and who brought nine-year-old Christina-Taylor Green to the event, where Christina-Taylor was killed). Troy Bowman is Nancy's son.
Carol Gaxiola – Carol's 14-year old daughter Jasmin was murdered on October 14, 1999, in retaliation for having witnessed an earlier drive-by shooting. Luis Rivera, one of the killers, had an extensive criminal history, but he and the other killer, Genara Gonzales, were able to purchase the murder weapon from a private seller at a gun show who did not have to submit them to a background check.
Lisa Kiser – Lisa was in class at the University of Arizona School of Nursing on October 29, 2002, when a failing student, Robert Flores Jr., killed a professor and then entered her classroom and killed two other professors: Robin Rogers, Barbara Monroe, and Cheryl McGaffic.
Patricia Maisch – Pat attended Rep. Giffords's Congress on your Corner event. Pat helped disarm the shooter by grabbing his second magazine clip after he was tackled. Pat testified before the Senate Crime Subcommittee in support of closing loopholes in the background check system on Nov. 15, 2011.
Mary Reed and Tom McMahon – Tom and Mary attended Rep. Giffords's Congress on Your Corner event with their teenage children. Mary was shot in the arm and back as she shielded her daughter Emma from the shooter. Emma was the first recipient of the Christina-Taylor Green Scholarship.
*Emily Nottingham, Chris Nottingham, and Kelly O'Brien – Gabe Zimmerman, who was Emily's son, Kelly's fiance, and Chris's nephew, worked as the Director of Community Outreach for Rep. Giffords and organized the Congress on Your Corner event on January 8, 2011, where he was shot and killed. Emily has a PhD in Mass Communications and, since retiring as the Community Services Department Director of the City of Tucson, has taught Urban Planning classes at the University of Arizona and continues to do community development work. A trained nurse, Kelly has spoken out against high-capacity magazines such as those that were used in the rampage that killed her fiance. Emily will attend the State of the Union with Representative Kyrsten Sinema.
Faith Salzgeber – Faith and her husband Roger were waiting in line to speak with Rep. Giffords on the Congress on Your Corner event on January 8, 2011 when Jared Loughner began shooting. Roger was one of two men who tackled Loughner, ending the rampage.
Pam Simon – Pam attended the January 8th Congress on Your Corner event as Rep. Giffords's Community Outreach Director. Pam was shot in the chest and hand. Pam recently retired, and prior to working as Rep. Giffords Community Outreach Coordinator, was a middle school teacher.
Mavy Stoddard and Chad Robinson – Mavy attended Rep. Giffords's Congress on Your Corner event with her husband, Dorwan Stoddard. Dorwan was murdered while shielding Mavy, who was also shot three times in the legs. Mavy is a gun owner who supports common-sense gun laws. Chad is Dorwan's step-grandson.
Vicki Walker, Kristy Johnson, and Pat Yuhas – Vicki's daughter Kara and husband Dan were murdered with a gun in their car by Kara's ex-boyfriend, Daniel Renwick on October 5, 2000. Kara had an order of protection against Renwick, making it illegal for him to possess a gun. Kara's fourteen-month old son, Caleb, was in the car and survived the shooting. Pat is Vicki's mother and Kara's grandmother. Kristy is Vicki's sister and Kara's aunt.
California
*Peggy McCrum – Peggy's brother, Robert, was shot and killed as he walked out of a store to his car. He was 29 years old and a graduate of Cal State Long Beach. The oldest of seven siblings in an Irish family, Robert enjoyed baseball, exercise and good conversation. Peggy is the president of the Long Beach chapter of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. Peggy will attend the State of the Union with Representative Alan Lowenthal.
*Josh Stepakoff – Josh, at 6-years-old, was shot in the leg during the mass shooting at the North Valley Jewish Community Center in 1999. A white supremacist, Buford Furrow, fired more than 70 bullets – wounding three children, an office worker, and a teen counselor. He fled the scene, shot and killed a postal worker, and was ultimately apprehended by authorities. Josh will attend the State of the Union with Senator Dianne Feinstein.
Colorado
*Theresa, David, William and Amanda Hoover, and Lasamoa Cross – Theresa's son, Alexander "A.J." Boik, was murdered during the Aurora movie theatre shooting. A.J. recently graduated from high school and was due to start classes at the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design to become an art teacher. A.J.'s girlfriend was with him in the theatre and survived. David is A.J.'s uncle, Theresa's brother and a police officer in Lakewood, CO. Williams is A.J.'s grandfather and the father of David and Theresa. Amanda is A.J.'s cousin and David's daughter. Lasamoa, A.J.'s girlfriend, was with him in the theatre and survived. Theresa and David will attend the State of the Union with Representatives Diana DeGette and Ed Perlmutter.
Sandy, Mindy, and David Moses – Sandy's son Steven was murdered in a random shooting at 24th and York St. in San Francisco on November 15, 1986. The shooter was never caught. Stephen was 23. His siblings are Mindy and David.
Maisha Pollard – Maisha's brother Javad, was murdered with a gun in June 2005, along with his fiance Vivian Wolfe. Maisha's mother is Colorado State Rep. Rhonda Fields, a statewide leader in gun violence prevention efforts.
Connecticut
*Stephen Barton – Stephen was shot with 25 shotgun pellets in the face, neck, chest, and arms during the Aurora movie theatre shooting. He was staying overnight in Aurora during a cross-country bicycle trip with his childhood best friend, Ethan Rodriguez-Torrent. Stephen graduated from Syracuse University in May 2012 and has postponed a Fulbright Fellowship to focus on his physical recovery and work on gun violence prevention. He currently works as an Outreach and Policy Associate for Mayors Against Illegal Guns. Steve will attend the State of the Union with Senator Richard Blumenthal.
*Chris and Lynn McDonnell – Chris and Lynn's 7-year-old daughter, Grace, was murdered in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. Grace loved art projects and, after the massacre, Chris and Lynn gave President Obama one of their daughter's paintings. It now hangs in the President's private study. Chris and Lynne will attend the State of the Union with Representatives Lois Frankel and Gloria Negrete McLeod.
*Carlos Soto and Clancy Purcell – Carlos' sister, Victoria Soto, was murdered during the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting while heroically shielding her first-graders from gunfire. A new elementary school in Stratford will be named in Victoria's honor. Carlos Soto attends Stratford High School, which Victoria graduated from in 2003. Clancy is the boyfriend of Jillian Soto, Victoria's sister. Carlos will attend the State of the Union with Representative Rosa DeLauro.
District of Columbia
Christian Heyne – Thousand Oaks, CA – In 2005, Christian's father Timothy Heyne was shot three times and survived, and his mother Jan was shot and killed by the ex-husband of a friend whose house they were at. Timothy's friend had an order of protection against the shooter. Christian currently works at the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence.
*Nardyne, Patricia, and Linda Jefferies – Nardyne's only child, Brishell Jones, was eating pizza with a group of friends after attending the funeral of gun violence victim when men driving by in a passing car opened fire with an AK-47. She and two others were killed and nine were injured. Brishell was 16. Patricia and Linda Jefferies are Brishell's grandmothers. Nardyne will attend the State of the Union with Representative Eleanor Norton.
Florida
Metris Batts – El Portal, FL – Metris is a community organizer in the Miami area who has lost many friends to gun violence.
Kanisha Gross and Carol Gardner – Miami, FL – Kanisha Gross's husband Herman Gross was shot and killed on July 13, 2011. Carol is Herman's mother.
Angela Williams – Angela founded Mothers Against Murderers in memory of her nephew Torrey, who was murdered with a gun. Nine other of her family members have been killed in gun violence. Angela has attended more than 150 funerals, giving love and support to grieving families of victims across Palm Beach County.
Illinois
Jennifer Bishop-Jenkins – Jennifer's pregnant sister Nancy and her husband Richard were murdered on April 7 1990. The shooter, David Biro, had a history of mental illness, having been committed to a mental institution three years earlier, and was too young to lawfully purchase a gun. He had stolen the murder weapon, a .357 Magnum, from an acquaintance.
Pam Bosley – Pam's son Terrell was shot and killed on April 4, 2006 outside the Lights of Zion Missionary Bible Church. The shooter was never caught, and the gun was never recovered. Terrell was 18.
*Cleopatra Cowley-Pendleton, Nathaniel A. Pendleton Sr., Nathaniel W. Pendleton, Jr., Eva Cowley, Leonard Pettis, Kimiko Cowley-Pettis, LaKeisha Grace-Stewart, Damen Stewart – Cleopatra and Nathaniel's daughter Hadiya Pendleton was murdered on January 29, 2013, when she was shot and killed in Harsh Park on Chicago's South Side. Hadiya had participated in President Obama's public inaugural celebration on January 21, 2013. She was an honor student and band majorette at King College Prep High School. Nathaniel Jr. is Hadiya's brother. Kimiko Cowley-Pettis and Leonard Pettis are Hadiya's aunt and uncle. Eva Cowley is Hadiya's grandmother and Cleopatra's mother. LaKeisha Grace-Stewart and Damen Stewart are Hadiya's godmother and godfather. Cleopatra will attend the State of the Union.
Bill Jenkins – Bill's son William was murdered with a gun during a robbery at a fast food restaurant in Richmond, VA. The 23-year old shooter had an extensive criminal record, including a conviction for illegally carrying a concealed weapon. He obtained the .380 semi-automatic handgun from an accomplice in the crime, who had taken it from her boyfriend. William was 16.
Mary Kay Mace – Dekalb, IL – Mary Kay's 19-year old daughter Ryanne Mace was killed at the February 2008 mass shooting at Northern Illinois University, where five people were killed and 21 injured. Since the shooting, Mary Kay and her husband Eric have started a scholarship foundation for psychology majors in honor of their daughter.
Annette Nance-Holt – Annette's son Blair was on a bus heading home from school on May 5, 2007, when he was caught in the crossfire of a gang shooting. He died protecting another student. The shooter, Michael Pace, acquired the gun from a friend, Kevin Jones, moments before the shooting. Neither of them was old enough to legally possess the weapon. Annette works as a Chicago Fire Captain.
Theresa O'Rourke – Theresa is Jitka Vesel's best friend. In 2011, Jitka Vesel was murdered by her ex-boyfriend, a prohibited purchaser who purchased a handgun without a background check from a private seller who advertised on Armslist.com. Prosecutors alleged that the private seller charged an extra $200 to complete the gun sale because he knew that shooter could not pass a background check.
Thomas and Carolyn Wortham – Thomas and Carolyn's son, Thomas Wortham IV, was shot and killed in front of their home on May 20, 2010 by four offenders who were trying to steal his motorcycle. Thomas was a Chicago Police Officer and an Iraq war veteran. The gun used to kill Tommy was obtained through a straw purchase in Mississippi and transported to Chicago, where it found its way into the hands of the shooters.
Indiana
Stephen and Joellen Miller – Stephen and Joellen live in the South Bend area. Stephens's brother and nephew were murdered with guns as young adults. They are committed to fostering a dialogue between urban, suburban and rural areas in order to curb gun violence in all parts of the country.
Judi and Wayne Richardson – Judi and Wayne's daughter, Darien, and her boyfriend were shot by a masked intruder on January 8, 2010 in Portland. Darien died from a blot clot that resulted from her gunshot wound. The same gun was used one month later in a Portland murder. Police were unable to trace the gun because the gun had been sold by a private gun show seller, who did not run a background check and did not keep records of the sale.
Rick Ruszkowski – Rick was a veteran police officer in South Bend, Indiana when he was shot and critically injured during a firefight that erupted while he and his partner were conducting a drug investigation on August 17, 2004. Rick is unable to work due to the shooting and has dealt with ongoing medical issues stemming from his injuries.
Louisiana
Jasmine and Stephanie Groves – Jasmine and Stephanie's mother was murdered in 1994. Their mother was killed the day before Jasmine's birthday.
Massachusetts
Lynnette Alameddine – Saugus, MA – Lynnette's 20-year old son Ross Alameddine was killed in his French class at Virginia Tech in 2007. The shooter in Virginia Tech, Seung-Hui Cho, had been found to be a danger to himself by a county court and was thus prohibited under federal law from purchasing a firearm. But because his records of mental illness were not submitted to the background check system, he was able to pass a background check and buy a gun. Since the tragic shooting, Lynnette has been fighting for legislation that would require universities to issue campus emergency notifications in 30 minutes or less, and Lynnette also advocates for stronger gun laws.
Meveline Chambers – Boston, MA – Meveline is a member of Mothers for Justice and Equality and lost her own son to violence.
Sarah A. Flint – Boston, MA – Sarah, whose son James was stabbed and killed in 1981, is a founding member of Mothers for Justice and Equality (MJE), a Boston based non-profit organization working with families who have lost their children to violence. More than 90% of these children were gun murder victims.
Kate Lowenstein – Kate's father, Al Lowenstein, was shot and killed in his Manhattan law offices in 1980. Al was a former Congressman and also U.S. Ambassador to the U.N.'s Human Rights Commission. The shooter, Dennis Sweeney, was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and found not guilty by reason of insanity. Kate works as an attorney and social worker at the Boston-based Murder Victims' Families for Human Rights.
*Kim and Rev. Ronald Odom – Boston, MA – The Odoms' 13-year old son Steven was shot and killed in October 2007 as he walked home from playing basketball in his Dorchester neighborhood. To remember Steven and his love of basketball, the family holds an annual Steven P. Odom Peace Charity Basketball Game to bring people in Dorchester and Roxbury together and highlight the neighborhoods' positive aspects. Kim will attend the State of the Union with Senator Elizabeth Warren.
Deborah Wornum – Deborah is a member of Mothers for Justice and Equality. Her son Aaron was shot and killed in Boston in June 2011.
Minnesota
Angela Cradle – Minneapolis, MN – Angela's 34-year old son Duane Tyson Sr. was shot and killed in 2007.
Mary Johnson – Minneapolis, MN – In 1993, Mary's 20-year old son Laramiun Byrd was shot to death during an argument. Oshea Israel was convicted for Byrd's homicide and served 17 years in prison. Mary, a devout Christian, has come to forgive Oshea for his crime, and she remains close with him as he works to earn his college degree at night.
*Samuel Rahamim – Samuel's father, Reuven Rahamim, was murdered with a gun in September 2012. Reuven, who was the owner of Accent Signage System in Minneapolis, and four others were murdered. Samuel is a senior in high school. Samuel will attend the State of the Union with Representative Keith Ellison.
Missouri
Jessica Aptman – Jessica's sister Melissa was shot and killed by two teenagers in a car-jacking. Melissa was 22 and just two weeks shy of her graduation from Washington University in St. Louis. Her friend, also in the car, was raped and then shot; she survived and helped to convict the perpetrators. Jessica and her family established a non-profit organization, The Melissa Institute for Violence Prevention & Treatment, in her honor.
New Jersey
Rabbi Joel Mosbacher – Joel's father Lester was murdered with a handgun at his place of business in Chicago on January 19, 1999. Joel has served as the Rabbi of Beth Haverim Shir Shalom, in Mahwah, since 2001.
Karen and Harry Pryde – Karen and Harry Pryde's daughter, Julia, was murdered in the Virginia Tech shooting, on April 16, 2007, along with 31 of her classmates and professors. The shooter had been adjudicated mentally ill and was prohibited from buying firearms. Because his mental health records were not submitted to the background check database, the shooter was able to pass a background check and buy the murder weapons from a licensed gun dealer.
New Mexico
*Mayor Gloria Chavez – Gloria has lost two cousins, a brother and another family member – all of them to gun violence. The experiences helped lead her into a life of public service. Gloria is the mayor of Tijeras, NM, and a member of the Mayors Against Illegal Guns coalition. In 2006, a sheriff's deputy in Tijeras was shot and killed by a wanted felon. Mayor Chavez will attend the State of the Union with Representative Michelle Lujan Grisham.
Debbie Kuidis – Debbie's former sister-in-law and her partner, Linda Gilkey and Nancy Parker Davidson were shot to death on New Year's Day 2007. Nancy, 56, was a psychologist who also volunteered at a treatment program for homeless women. Linda, 47, had worked in a nursing home. Debbie is a chaplain and former deputy chief of police, and she continues to carry a concealed weapon.
New York
*Chief John Aresta – Chief Aresta's uncle was murdered with a gun. Chief Aresta is the police chief in Malverne, NY. Malverne's mayor, Patricia Ann Norris-McDonald, is the wife of Steven McDonald, a detective in the New York City Police Department who was shot and critically wounded in the line of duty in 1986. Mayor McDonald is a member of the Mayors Against Illegal Guns coalition. Chief Aresta will attend the State of the Union with Representative Carolyn McCarthy.
Chris Foye – Chris's son Chris Owens, known as Booba to family, was at West 121st Street and Lenox Avenue in Harlem when he was hit and killed by a stray bullet on April 26, 2009. The shooter was never caught, and the gun was never recovered. Chris was 13.
Jennifer Gold –Jen's childhood friend's Carol Kestenbaum, a 20-year-old student at Arizona State University, and Nicole Schiffman, a 19-year-old student at University of Maryland, were murdered with a gun in 2007, when they were stalked, shot, and killed by an acquaintance of Kestenbaum's who then took his own life. Jen has worked as a gun violence prevention advocate and is currently studying for her Master's in Social Work.
Dionne Gordon – Dionne's brother Maurice, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer, was murdered with a handgun outside his parents' home on June 21, 2010. The shooter was never caught, and the gun was never recovered. Maurice was 33.
Tamar King – Binghamton, NY – Tamar's mother Roberta King was killed in the 2009 shooting at the American Civic Association immigration center in Binghamton, NY, where 14 people were murdered and four others were wounded. Roberta King, a 72-year old professor, was teaching a citizenship class when gunman Jiverly Wong entered the classroom and opened fire, killing her and 13 others before taking his own life. Roberta was the mother of 10 children, 7 daughters and 3 sons.
Ron Schiffman – Merrick, NY – Ron's 19-year old daughter Nicole Schiffman was visiting her childhood friend Carol Kestenbaum, a student at Arizona State University, in 2007, when they were both stalked, shot, and killed by an acquaintance of Kestenbaum's who then took his own life.
North Carolina
Yolanda Bagley – Yolanda's son, Jelani Kamau Dandy was murdered with a gun in November 2012.
Demetriss China, Zacrek China, Javonna Carrington, and Annette Carrington Johnson – Demetriss's daughter Shakanah, 13, was murdered with a gun in May 2011 just outside of her house during a drive-by shooting. The shooters were aiming for someone else. Javonna and Zacrek are the siblings of Shakanah, and Annette is her grandmother.
Brenda James – Brenda's son Rudolph was shot and killed in Durham at the age of 25. Brenda is a member of the Durham chapter of Parents of Murdered Children.
Effie McDonald Steele – Effie's daughter, Ebony Robinson, was shot and killed when she was several months pregnant.
Ohio
Wylene and Ashanti Edwards – Wylene was shot while driving in her car in January 2013 after flashing her lights at two men standing in the middle of the road. Wylene is a grandmother who has lived in the North Hill neighborhood of Akron for most of her life. Ashanti is her son.
Crystal King – Crystal's brother, Russell, was one of three students killed in the Chardon High School mass shooting. Russell, 17, was an outdoorsman who loved to fish, camp and hunt with his family.
Judy Martin – Judy's son Chris was murdered during an attempted carjacking outside of Bones Gym in East Cleveland on May 1, 1994. The shooter, Juwan Gardner, was convicted of murder.
Nate and Dawn Mueller – Nate was shot in the ear at Chardon High School, when a student opened fire in the cafeteria. His friends, seated with him at the cafeteria table, were shot and killed. In total, three students were killed and three students were injured. T.J. Lane is currently on trial for these murders. Dawn is Nate's mother.
Alex Watts – Alex was getting off a bus in Akron when he was caught in a hail of bullets. Alex sustained a gunshot wound to the stomach. Seventeen-year-old Willie Brewer was killed in the shooting.
Oregon
Bryant Cephus – Make, OR – Bryant's 15-year old son Taureq Cephus was killed at a bus stop in Orange County, CA, on Feb. 29, 2008. Tareq's murderer was a felon and lifelong gang member who had only recently gotten out of jail.
Paul Kamp – Paul is the brother-in-law of Steven Forsyth, 45, who was killed by a masked gunman armed with a Bushmaster AR-15 semi-automatic assault rifle in a mall in Clackamas, Oregon in December 2012. The shooter fired more than 60 rounds, killing Steven and another woman and critically wounding a third individual, before taking his own life.
Teressa Raiford – Teressa's cousin was murdered with a gun in 1996 in Portland. In September of 2010, Teressa's nephew Andre, 19, was murdered with a gun in the city's Old Town neighborhood.
Pennsylvania
Fay Dawson – Fay's youngest son, Vincent, was shot and killed in January 2005. Fay is founder of the Vincent M. A. Woodson Foundation, which organizes anti-violence rallies and provides bereavement support to victims' families.
Joe Biancosino Downey – Joe's son Michael was shot and killed at the age of 30, along with a friend, while seated in a car in Savannah, GA, where he was living. Michael had been a teacher – honored with placement in Who's Who Among American Teachers – and was planning to attend law school. Joe, a music teacher in Bristol, is the former mayor of Tullytown, where the current mayor is one of the more than 200 Pennsylvania members of the Mayors Against Illegal Guns coalition.
Mary Beth and Matthew Hacke – Pittsburgh, PA – Mary Beth's 14-month-old son Ryan was killed in his car seat by a stray bullet shot by a convicted felon at a traffic intersection. Matthew, Ryan's brother, was 4-years-old and sitting next to his brother at the time of the shooting. Mary sits on the board of the gun violence prevention organization CeaseFirePA.
Dorothy Johnson-Speight – Dorothy's only son, Khaaliq, was shot and killed on December 6, 2001 – just weeks after he was accepted into a Master's program at Delaware. The shooter had a long history of heinous crimes, including the murder of 19-year-old Justin Donnelly. Dorothy, a licensed family therapist, is Founder and Executive Director of the Philadelphia-based Mothers in Charge organization – and a well-respected state and national leaders in violence prevention efforts.
Cassandra Jones – Cassandra was 5-years-old when her mother was shot in the foot and disabled outside their home in Chicago. Cassandra is now borough councilwoman for the Second Ward of West Chester, where she was recently named Borough Council vice president. The mayor of West Chester is one of the more than 200 Pennsylvania members of the Mayors Against Illegal Guns coalition.
Virginia
Letitie Clark and Patricia Craig – Letitie is the mother of Ryan "Stack" Clark, who was killed in the mass shooting at Virginia Tech on April 16. Ryan was a Resident Assistant in West Ambler Johnston Hall. He heard screams coming from the dorm room of Emily Hilscher and ran to help. Ryan and Emily were shot and killed by Seung-Hui Cho, who then made his way to Norris Hall to continue the killing spree. Patricia Craig is Ryan's aunt.
*Lori Haas – Lori's daughter Emily was shot and injured in the mass shooting at Virginia Tech on April 16, 2007, in which 32 of her classmates and professors were murdered. The shooter had been adjudicated mentally ill and was prohibited from buying firearms. But his mental health records had not been submitted to the background check database, so he was able to pass a check and buy the murder weapons from a licensed gun dealer. Lori currently works as a gun violence prevention advocate. Lori will attend the State of the Union with Representative Bobby Scott.
Lily Habtu – Lily was shot in the head and arm during the Virginia Tech massacre. The shooter, Seung-Hui Cho, had been adjudicated mentally ill and was prohibited from buying firearms. But his mental health records had not been submitted to the background check database, so he was able to pass a check and buy the murder weapons from a licensed gun dealer.
Uma Loganathan – Uma's father G.V. was murdered in the mass shooting at Virginia Tech on April 16, 2007, along with 31 of his fellow faculty and students. The shooter had been adjudicated mentally ill and was prohibited from buying firearms. But his mental health records had not been submitted to the background check database, so he was able to pass a check and buy the murder weapons from a licensed gun dealer.
Peter Read – Peter's daughter Mary Read was shot and killed during the Virginia Tech massacre, along with 31 of her classmates and professors. Peter is a retired Lt. Colonel from the Air Force.
Joseph and Omar Samaha – Joseph's daughter and Omar's sister Reema was murdered in the mass shooting at Virginia Tech on April 16, 2007, along with 31 of her classmates and professors. The shooter had been adjudicated mentally ill and was prohibited from buying firearms. But his mental health records had not been submitted to the background check database, so he was able to pass a check and buy the murder weapons from a licensed gun dealer. Reema was 18.
Jeff Twigg – Jeff was in class at Virginia Tech in 2007 when Seung-Hui Cho opened fire. Jeff jumped out the window of the classroom, breaking his leg in two places. Cho had been adjudicated mentally ill and was prohibited from buying firearms. But his mental health records had not been submitted to the background check database, so he was able to pass a check and buy the murder weapons from a licensed gun dealer.
Washington
Kristina Anderson – Kristina was shot twice and survived the Virginia Tech massacre. The shooter, Seung-Hui Cho, had been adjudicated mentally ill and was prohibited from buying firearms. But his mental health records had not been submitted to the background check database, so he was able to pass a check and buy the murder weapons from a licensed gun dealer. In 2007, Kristina launched the Koshka Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving campus safety, educating students, and building a comprehensive network of survivors.
Wisconsin
*Elvin Daniel – Elvin's sister, Zina Daniel Haughton, was shot and killed by her estranged husband, Radcliffe Haughton, on October 21, 2012 at a salon and spa in Brookfield. Haughton was issued a restraining order days before the shooting and so was a prohibited purchaser. Instead, he connected with a private seller on Armslist.com who was not required to run the background check. Haughton purchased a semi-automatic handgun that he used the next day to kill Zina and two other women, injuring four more, before turning the gun on himself. Elvin, who lives in Illinois, is a gun owner and member of the NRA. Elvin will attend the State of the Union with Representative Mike Thompson.
Mary Kay Balchunas – New Berlin, WI – Mary Kay's 34-year old son Jay Balchunas was a Special Agent for the Wisconsin Department of Justice who was shot during an undercover drug trafficking investigation on October 29, 2004, and died a week later. Jay had previously been an officer in the Milwaukee Police Department and also served as a Lieutenant in the New Berlin Fire Department.
Amardeep Kaleka – Amardeep's father, Satwant Singh Kaleka, was murdered at the Sikh temple shooting in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. Satwant was the temple leader and news reports indicate that before being killed, Satwant attacked the shooter as he opened fire, which allowed others to escape injury. Amardeep is a filmmaker at Neverending Light Productions.
SOURCE Mayors Against Illegal Guns
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