Gun violence in Tallahassee, Florida Man shoots at least two people at US university
A man has killed at least two people at a university in Tallahassee, Florida. He injured six others, five of whom had to be hospitalized.
18.04.2025, 07:03
18.04.2025, 07:17
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- Two people were killed and six injured in a gun attack at a Florida college; the suspected perpetrator is a 20-year-old student and son of a vice-principal.
- The murder weapon belonged to his mother, according to police, and the shooter was part of a police-affiliated training program with access to weapons.
- Donald Trump condemned the crime, but again spoke out against stricter gun laws and emphasized his commitment to constitutional gun rights.
At least two people have been killed in a gun attack at a college in the US state of Florida. Six others suffered injuries, five of whom were taken to a nearby hospital, authorities said at a press conference.
The suspected shooter, initially believed to be a 20-year-old university student, was arrested and also taken to hospital. According to the authorities, he is the son of a deputy district police chief from the area. According to the police, the victims are not students at the university. They did not initially provide any further details about the victims.
Police: "Gun belongs to mother of suspected shooter"
According to the authorities, a firearm belonging to the mother of the alleged shooter was found at the crime scene. In addition, the young man was a member of a program in which he had close contact with the police and had taken part in various training sessions. "It is therefore no surprise to us that he had access to weapons," said a representative of the authorities. The investigation into the exact circumstances was ongoing.
Firearms are easily accessible in the United States and are in circulation in enormous numbers. According to the US CDC, tens of thousands of people die every year as a result of firearm injuries. Among children and young people, they are one of the most common causes of death - even ahead of traffic accidents, according to data from 2023. In many schools, regular drills are held at an early age to prepare children for possible attacks.
Trump: "Guns are not the problem"
After acts of violence - for example in schools, supermarkets, nightclubs or at public events - there are always heated debates about stricter gun laws. However, no tangible progress has been made so far. Comprehensive reform has failed for years due to resistance from Republicans and the powerful gun lobby.
Republican US President Donald Trump commented on the incident during a public appearance. He called the act "a disgrace" and at the same time reiterated his support for the gun laws enshrined in the US constitution. "I'm a big supporter of the Second Amendment - I have been from the beginning and I will continue to be," said Trump. It is not the guns that are the problem, but the people who use them. When asked whether he would campaign for stricter laws in light of the attack in Florida, he explained: "I have an obligation to protect the Second Amendment."
