Life should never be like this, where it takes senseless tragedy for a community to unite against hate, yet it happens far too often these days. Pittsburgh responded in a big-time way after a deadly shooting last month, and now the Los Angeles community is doing the same following another mass shooting Wednesday night.
Using a smoke bomb and a handgun, according to the Associated Press, Ian David Long, a Marine combat veteran wearing all black, opened fire at a country music bar — Borderline Bar & Grill — in Thousand Oaks, California, killing 12 people and leaving the entire community in sadness and shock.
"The Los Angeles Rams Organization is heartbroken by the horrific shooting that took place last night in our community of Thousand Oaks. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and our entire community" — Los Angeles Rams statement via Twitter
Thousand Oaks happens to be where the Los Angeles Rams practice facility is located, so this definitely hit home, and the team, along with players such as quarterback Jared Goff and wide receiver Copper Kupp, among others, went to social media to share heartfelt messages.
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The Los Angeles Chargers also released a statement Thursday morning.
The Los Angeles Lakers did as well, including superstar forward LeBron James and center JaVale McGee.
These tragic events should never happen, but they sadly happen all of the time. In all honestly, it's sickening and hard to believe.
However, much like the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pittsburgh Penguins did with special dedications across social media and at the stadium and arena, expect the Rams, Chargers and Lakers to rally the community together and all honor the victims and their families at a game as soon as possible.
