Kentucky Governor Issues Statement on Shooting That Left 2 Teens Dead, 17 Injured. Doesn’t Say It Was a Shooting.

Calls It ‘A Tremendous Tragedy’ but Not a Shooting. ‘Unbelievable That This Would Happen’ but Not a Shooting.

Governor Matt Bevin Tuesday afternoon issued a heartfelt statement about the tragic shooting at a Benton, Kentucky high school that left two 15-year old children dead and 17 others injured – 14 of them injured by a gun.

“This is a tremendous tragedy and speaks to the heartbreak present in our communities,” Gov. Bevin’s statement begins. “It is unbelievable that this would happen in small, close-knit community like Marshall County. As there is still much unknown, I encourage people to love on each other at this time. Do not speculate, but come alongside each other in support and allow the facts to come out.”

Even his tweet doesn’t mention the shooting, just, “this morning’s events.”

It’s a lovely statement, clearly crafted with sincerity and respect.

But clearly it leaves out the most important information: this was a deadly mass shooting. 

It was an initial statement and it was a wise move designed to let Kentuckians know he is on the job, in charge, and moved by the tragedy.

But leaving out the fact that a mass shooting had just occurred, specifically not mentioning the shooting at all, and not mentioning that it took place at a school, makes his other intention clear: don’t talk about guns. Don’t talk about shootings.

Here’s how Gov. Bevin responded after the Las Vegas mass shooting:

“You can’t regulate evil,” says Americans are powerless to reduce gun violence and gun deaths – and that’s just plain false. You could call a lie of deadly proportions.

Here’s how some on social media are responding to Gov. Bevin’s statement:

Image by Gage Skidmore via Flickr and a CC license