On Friday afternoon in Virginia Beach, a long-term government employee, who had only resigned via email hours before, went on a shooting rampage in a municipal building that left 12 dead. The killer took the lives of innocent coworkers who were husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, friends, and neighbors. It is yet another act of brutality that will be added to the list of mass shootings that have taken place in the United States.
The horror spurred talk of gun control and once again ignited discussion around the application of blame. Following incidents like this, there is a desire, however wrong, to pin at least some of the responsibility on politicians or organizations like the National Rifle Association.
Although the shooting has been discussed on cable news and in print, the coverage seems to be much less than other large-scale gun-related crimes. The media only briefly paused on it then quickly turned their attention to President Trump’s drama-filled visit to the United Kingdom.
But the loss of 12 souls is no small thing. In fact, the number of victims is only one less than those killed at Columbine High School in 1999. That incident shocked the nation to its core.
The reactions, or lack thereof, since Friday’s shooting should cause us to reflect: Have we become numb to certain acts of violence? The shooting did not take place on school property and all of the victims were well-established adults. Does the nation care less about it because it doesn’t fit a certain narrative? Does the race of the shooter, who was black, play a part? Does the firearm or how it was obtained mean more or less media attention?
We’ve all witnessed the media coverage following mass shootings in Las Vegas, Sutherland Springs, Pittsburgh, Parkland, Orlando, and Thousand Oaks. Somehow, this seems different.
In recent years, there has been a concerted effort by members of the media to reduce the focus on shooters. Whether their names are rarely mentioned, or even mentioned at all, I believe it is a step in the right direction. There should be no glory or fame found in their acts. The murders they commit should not result in copycat crimes. But this shouldn’t mean that we keep from discussing the lives that were lost and what can sensibly be done to keep it from happening elsewhere.
Others noticed the lack of disruption in American society following Friday’s terror.
I wonder if our frenetically paced, hyper-partisan news cycle is at fault? Politics is a religion in America, and we all await the next tweet, soundbite, or selfie so we can opine. The rhythm is so fast that we often forget what held our attention only a few cycles before. If the mass slaughter of innocent souls is just another trending hashtag that is there for a moment then quickly replaced, we’re doing something dreadfully wrong.
Regrettably, this shooting will not be the last one to happen. There will be another chance to gauge the collective response in the aftermath of more bloodshed. This is our modern-day reality. Until then, ambitious presidential candidates and current politicians alike may capitalize on Virginia Beach as a talking point. They might direct our attention to it in order to gain some measure of support for their policies. Whether we agree with them or not, acknowledging what happened, and to whom, on May 31 can’t end there.
Other than the enforcement of current laws or the introduction of new legislation that keeps a spotlight on would-be criminals or mental health concerns, without infringing on our rights, it seems that little can be done. Those with evil intent, no matter their race, background, motivation, or access to firearms, will still find a way to bring unimaginable violence into a normal day.
May we, as fellow citizens and neighbors, never grow used to crimes against the innocent when they occur.
Kimberly Ross (@SouthernKeeks) is a contributor to the Washington Examiner’s Beltway Confidential blog and a columnist at Arc Digital.
