Houston Police chief Art Acevedo issued a scathing rebuke Friday night of lawmakers who “run to the cameras” to offer prayers but take no action to on gun violence.
Hours after 10 people were killed and 10 more were wounded in a mass shooting at Santa Fe High School, Acevedo told people that follow his Facebook account that he is tired of hearing “guns aren’t the problem and there’s little we can do.”
The shooting occurred 30 miles outside of downtown Houston when a gunman brandishing a shotgun and a revolver opened fire at the high school. The shooting suspect, 17-year-old Dimitrios Pagourtzis, is being held without bond and has been charged with capital murder and aggravated assault on a peace officer.
“Today, I spent the day dealing with another mass shooting of children and a responding police officer who is clinging to life,” Acevedo wrote. “I know some have strong feelings about gun rights, but I want you to know I’ve hit rock bottom, and I am not interested in your views as it pertains to this issue.”
Acevedo said he understands if some stop being friends with him on Facebook and hoped that people would understand if he “de-friends” them if they oppose gun control.
“I will continue to speak up and will stand up for what my heart and my God commands me to do, and I assure you he hasn’t instructed me to believe that gun-rights are bestowed by him,” said Acevedo.
Acevedo pointed out the hypocrisy that “so-called people of faith” are accepting “hatred being spewed in our country and the new norms.”
“This isn’t a time for prayers, and study and inaction, it’s a time for prayers, action and the asking of God’s forgiveness for our inaction (especially the elected officials that ran to the cameras today, acted in a solemn manner, called for prayers, and will once again do absolutely nothing),” he wrote.
