LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – UPDATE: (7:51 p.m.) Oakland County Sheriff‘s officials have identified the three students killed as a a 14-year-old female; 16-year-old male; and 17-year-old female. Eight other people were wounded and taken to various area hospitals; two were in surgery. Sheriff’s officials indicated there would be at least one more update overnight.
UPDATE (5:45 p.m.) – Governor Whitmer has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags within the State Capitol Complex and upon all public buildings and grounds across the State of Michigan to be lowered to half-staff immediately until further notice.
The order was made to honor and remember the victims of the shooting at Oxford High School in Oakland County.
Oakland County-based U.S. Sen. Gary Peters reacted via his social media, writing, “This is heartbreaking. Schools are a place where students should be safe. I’m thinking of the families & friends who lost loved ones in Oxford today—and the entire community grappling with this harrowing news. Grateful to law enforcement & authorities for their swift response.”
Sen. Debbie Stabenow, a former school social worker, wrote, “Absolutely devastating. My heart goes out to the entire Oxford High School community. This news is a gut punch for parents and families in our state.”
U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, a St. Joseph Republican, wrote, “Absolutely heartbreaking. Reminds us all how precious our kids truly are and the compassion that each of us feels towards those families who lost a loved one on a day that no one expected this would occur.”
Zeeland-based Republican Bill Huizenga wrote, “As the father of school age kids, my heart breaks for the families who lost children during today’s senseless act of violence in Oakland County. I ask that you join me in holding those families as well as the children and educator injured in the tragic shooting in your prayers.”
President Joe Biden wrote, “My heart goes out to the families of all those in Oxford, Michigan experiencing the unimaginable grief of losing a loved one. I’m remaining in close touch with my team as new information about this tragic school shooting surfaces.”
Michigan Sen. Mike Shirkey wrote, “As parents, Sue and I cannot imagine the heartbreak and fear of the Oxford community today. We will keep the victims in our prayers and the families close to our hearts.”
Brian Davis, associate executive director for professional learning for the Michigan Association of Superintendents (MASA), wrote, “My heart is in anguish for Superintendent Throne, the staff, students, families and entire Oxford School Community following the tragedy today. Our collective thoughts and prayers go out to you.”
MASA tweeted, “The news about today’s tragedy at Oxford High School is truly horrifying and heartbreaking. MASA extends our deepest condolences for this senseless loss of life and our support to the students, staff, families, and the entire Oxford community during this very difficult time.”
— Original Story —
Tuesday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer released the following statement after the deadly shooting at Oxford High School in Oakland County.
“My heart breaks for the students, teachers, staff, and families of Oxford High School. The death of multiple students and the shooting of many others, including a teacher, is horrific. I want to thank the first responders on the ground working hard to keep people safe as law enforcement officials i
nvestigate this shooting and get the community the help it needs right now. As Michiganders, we have a responsibility to do everything we can to protect each other from gun violence. No one should be afraid to go to school, work, a house of worship, or even their own home. Gun violence is a public health crisis that claims lives every day. We have the tools to reduce gun violence in Michigan. This is a time for us to come together and help our children feel safe at school.
My heart is with the parents who had their children taken from them today and with the entire community in Oxford.”
Shortly after the release of this statement, Attorney General Dana Nessel released one, as well –
“My heart goes out to the parents who have lost their children and to the students, teachers, staff, and families reeling from the tragedy of a school shooting within their community. My department has reached out to local law enforcement to offer assistance as this investigation unfolds and I want to extend my sincere gratitude to first responders on the scene.
“We must act to properly address gun violence in our schools and the ongoing threat of another unconscionable tragedy if we continue to only offer thoughts and prayers. Our kids deserve better.”
