NASW-CA Chapter’s Statement on Sacramento Shooting

Early this past Sunday, our local community of Sacramento experienced a devastating tragedy. Six individuals lost their lives, with about a dozen being injured, as a result of a mass shooting that took place in the downtown area. Our hearts grieve with the families of these individuals. It is an utter failure for our systems that our communities cannot and will not feel safe in public settings as a result of tragic events such as this. We learn from reports that one of the victims is an aspiring social worker and we feel this loss deeply that a human being who found calling in our great profession, to serve and advocate for our most marginalized communities, had their life torn from them. We honor you and all the victims today and onward in our work. NASW-CA shares in the disappointment and outrage that lives were shattered due to inaction by our systems of care and we call on our elected officials to act swiftly in response to the public safety conditions that need to be put in place around violence prevention, gun restrictions, human services, and behavioral health support.

Our communities deserve better.