Do Something: El Paso & Dayton Shootings

Credit: Mario Tama / Staff

TL;DR: Read the top for news updates and important context. Scroll to the bottom for ways to take action.

What Happened

El Paso

• On Saturday, August 3, a gunman opened fire in a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, killing 20 and injuring 26. Among the dead were six Mexican nationals.
• Authorities say that less than an hour before the massacre, the shooter posted an anti-immigrant manifesto online.
• The suspect claimed the attack was motivated partly by what he perceived as the “Hispanic invasion” of Texas.
• Federal authorities are treating the massacre as a domestic terrorism case, with possible hate crime charges.

Dayton

• Within 24 hours of the El Paso shooting, a gunman killed 9 and wounded 27 in the Oregon District of Dayton, Ohio (including his own sister).
• Law enforcement officers were already stationed nearby, and shot the suspect dead within 30 seconds after the first shot rang out.
• The shooter had a reportedly troubled past, with his high school classmates recalling a “hit list” and “rape list” he kept as a teenager.
• However, there is currently no known motive for the Dayton shooting.

On behalf of the DoSomething staff and community, our hearts go out to the victims, their families, and all those affected by gun violence. We thank law enforcement, first responders, and medical staff, along with all those responding to these tragedies with action and hope.

Further Context

Domestic Terrorism

• Domestic terrorism is defined by the federal government as “politically motivated violence designed to coerce or intimidate a civilian population.”
• In the past few months, there has been a rise in white supremacist domestic terrorism, and there are gaps in prevention efforts.
• The El Paso suspect follows in a trend of mass shooters posting extremist manifestos online, as was the case with the Christchurch and Poway attacks earlier this year.
• The Dayton shooter has not yet been linked to domestic terrorism or hate crime charges.

Gun Violence

• Current gun control legislation in Texas and Ohio is relatively lax, with no limit for handgun magazine capacity and “shall issue” permitting policies.
• Since the Sandy Hook attack in 2012, there have been 2,193 mass shootings in the US.
• President Donald Trump has called for stronger background checks, mental health reform, and immigration legislation in response to the attacks.
• Since Parkland, youth activism has been key in passing several gun violence prevention measures.

The Helpers

When something like this happens, it’s easy to feel hopeless and to lose faith in humanity, but where there is evil, it’s met by those with incredible goodness and light.

Reports show that fast action from law enforcement in Dayton saved many lives, and nurse Kayla Miller stopped fleeing to perform CPR on victims of the shooting.

In El Paso, service member Glen Oakley helped kids escape the shooting. In the aftermath, hundreds showed up to donate blood, and an organization is supporting undocumented victims of the El Paso attack who are too afraid to seek help elsewhere.

Meanwhile, gun reform groups Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action marched on the White House and Capitol following the attacks.

Take Action

1. Flag hate speech online. By reporting white supremacist content, you can help law enforcement prevent violence before it happens.

2. Demand action from lawmakers. Use our easy tool to call or email your senators and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to demand they pass laws to keep our communities safer.

3. Practice self-care and help others do the same. Check in on your friends and family, and be kind to yourself. Reach out to Crisis Text Line for anonymous crisis help 24/7, by texting HOME to 741-741.

4. Donate (or encourage others to donate). The El Paso Victims Relief Fund and the Dayton Oregon District Tragedy Fund are accepting donations.

5. Sign the March For Our Lives petition. Tell Congress you want universal background checks now.