On Friday night, news broke about a hostage situation taking place at a Veterans Home in California. Not long after the story made the rounds, Donald Trump took to Twitter to give his thoughts.
We are deeply saddened by the tragic situation in Yountville and mourn the loss of three incredible women who cared for our Veterans.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 10, 2018
Trump on California shooting
Less than a month after the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, another deadly shooting occurred, this time at a veterans home on the West Coast.
As reported by CNN on March 10, a going-away party was taking place at the Veterans Home of California in Yountville, California when 36-year-old Albert Wong walked into the building with his rifle and opened fire. Over the course of the next few hours, hostage negotiators attempted to work out a deal with Wong, was had formally been a client of the Veterans home, but by the time they entered the building, the suspect was found dead, along with three female victims. The victims all worked at the home and have since been identified as Jennifer Gonzales, Jennifer Golick and Christine Loeber.
Three women and a gunman were found dead after a hostage standoff at a veterans home in Yountville, a California law enforcement official says https://t.co/hLLBkGq6X2 pic.twitter.com/cmKLXGed4B
— CNN (@CNN) March 10, 2018
In a tweet posted on Saturday morning, Donald Trump sent out his condolences.
"We are deeply saddened by the tragic situation in Yountville and mourn the loss of three incredible women who cared for our Veterans," Trump tweeted out. Due to the sensitivity and emotions surrounding the issue of mass shootings and gun reform in the country, the reaction to Trump's tweet didn't go over well with critics.
Instant backlash
Following Donald Trump's tweet about the shooting in California, those who oppose his administration didn't waste time in hitting back. "This is sad to hear. Please don't make a fool of yourself by calling to arm 95-year old veterans now," a tweet read.
Once again, a shooting that involved an assault-style rifle, the M4.
— Ed Krassenstein 💎 (@EdKrassen) March 10, 2018
Another man with a rifle, Are you going to make a speech about mental health again?
— Bishop Talbert Swan (@TalbertSwan) March 10, 2018
But as always, you'll do nothing meaningful in order that the NRA carried on funding the corrupt GOP
— Raymond Lee #FBPE (@rayleee) March 10, 2018
"Another man with a rifle, Are you going to make a speech about mental health again?" Bishop Talbert Swan replied, before adding, "Is this going to lead to another conversation about bump stocks, mental health, and a few more rounds of golf or are you going to do something about gun control?" "But as always, you'll do nothing meaningful in order that the NRA carried on funding the corrupt GOP," yet another tweet read.
So spend your parade money on Vets; words mean little action speaks volumes.
— jaam91 (@jaam91) March 10, 2018
You’ll have to write a lot of these hypocritical tweets since you’ve done nothing to stop the carnage.
— Brasilmagic (@Brasilmagic) March 10, 2018
Screw you and your #militaryparade ~ Maybe more $ to Vet services instead ~ My daughter works there and was locked down all day! We were terrified... Bless the victim's families! 💔☮#NeverAgain #BanAssaultWeapons #Napa #March4OurLives #GunReformNow
— 🌿sage🌿 (@SageMendo) March 10, 2018
"Maybe now we should start arming health care workers too?" a tweet read with apparent sarcasm. "So spend your parade money on Vets; words mean little action speaks volumes," a social media user wrote. As the backlash continued to pour in, it was made clear that thoughts and prayer-style tweets were not going to cut it any longer for many Americans.
