'What Should Have Been...': Biden, Harris Condemn Georgia High School Shooting

Washington: President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris expressed condolences for the victims of a tragic shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, where a student opened fire, killing four people, including two students, and injuring nine others. 

President Biden Issues Statement

In his statement, Biden described the incident as "another horrific reminder of how gun violence continues to tear our communities apart."

"Jill (Biden) and I are mourning the deaths of those whose lives were cut short due to more senseless gun violence and thinking of all of the survivors whose lives are forever changed. What should have been a joyous back-to-school season in Winder, Georgia, has now turned into another horrific reminder of how gun violence continues to tear our communities apart," Biden said in a statement released by the White House.

The president also commended first responders for their quick action in apprehending the suspect, preventing further loss of life.

"We cannot continue to accept this as normal. We are closely coordinating with officials at the federal, state, and local levels and are grateful for the first responders who brought the suspect into custody and prevented further loss of life," Biden said.

The president reaffirmed his commitment to addressing gun violence in the U.S. and highlighted the steps his administration has taken, including the signing of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which he called "the most meaningful gun safety bill in decades."

"Ending this gun violence epidemic is personal to me. It's why I signed into law the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act—the most meaningful gun safety bill in decades—and have announced dozens of gun safety executive actions. I also established the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, overseen by Vice President Harris. We've made significant progress, but this crisis requires even more," Biden said.

Biden Urge Republicans to Work with Democrats 

President Joe Biden has once again urged Republicans to collaborate with Democrats in Congress to pass gun safety legislation aimed at preventing future gun violence in the United States.

"After decades of inaction, Republicans in Congress must finally say 'enough is enough' and work with Democrats to pass common-sense gun safety legislation. We must ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines once again, require safe storage of firearms, enact universal background checks, and end immunity for gun manufacturers. These measures will not bring those who were tragically killed today back, but they will help prevent more tragic gun violence from ripping more families apart," Biden mentioned.

VP Kamla Harris Also Expressed Grief

Vice President Kamala Harris also expressed her sorrow over the incident, calling it a "senseless tragedy" in a post on X. She sent her condolences to the victims and their families and reiterated the need to end the gun violence epidemic.

"Today, Doug and I are mourning the deaths of those whose lives were cut short by gun violence at Apalachee High School in Georgia. Our hearts are with the students, teachers, and families impacted by this shooting, and we are grateful to the first responders and law enforcement on the scene. This is a senseless tragedy—and it does not have to be this way. We must end the epidemic of gun violence in our country once and for all," Harris wrote.

The suspected shooter, a 14-year-old student, has been taken into custody, and authorities are continuing to investigate the motive behind the attack. The U.S. has seen over 385 mass shootings so far this year, averaging more than one and a half per day.