Arizona leaders immediately took to Facebook and Twitter to offer prayers and condolences to the victims of a deadly shooting spree at a Texas church. While most expressed sadness, Arizona State Sen. Martin Quezada offered thanks to the NRA.
Immediately after the shooting, rabid and insensitive anti-gun groups attacked the church members on Facebook, and a “Devin Kelley Family Friendly Shooting Gallery” Facebook page popped-up. However, Quezada is the first elected representative to cross the line according to his constituents.
Sen. Quezada, who serves as the Senate Minority Whip, is also a member of the Pendergast Elementary School District Governing Board in Phoenix, Arizona.
At least 27 people were killed on Sunday by a gunman, Devin Patrick Kelley, of New Braunfels, Texas, who opened fire inside the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs.
Arizona State Rep. Bob Thorpe stated, “As friends and families grieve today over the deaths and injuries of loved ones harmed inside a small town Texas house of worship, Senator Quezada should be ashamed of himself for his callus, myopic comments. Just like Hillary Clinton’s anti-gun statements immediately after the recent, horrific October 1st shooting in Las Vegas, Democrats waste no time in turning human tragedy into political folly. Isn’t it ironic that when an Islamic terrorist used a truck, instead of a gun last week in New York to maim and kill innocent bystanders, Democrats were uncharacteristically silent, because the weapon and the attacker’s ethnicity didn’t further their liberal political narrative. Reasonable Arizonans within my legislative district find the lack of compassion and blatant intolerance of Quezada and his progressive left to be truly nauseating.”
Thanks @NRA. :'( https://t.co/UHJ9gxJl6h
— Sen. Martín Quezada (@SenQuezada29) November 5, 2017
Arizona stands with Texas. Sending out prayers to all the families and first responders affected. #SutherlandSpringsTexas https://t.co/kGRtIZysSl
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) November 5, 2017
Cindy and I are both grieving and praying for the families and victims of today’s attack in Texas. Horrific news. https://t.co/4oz0fxBeiS
— Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) November 5, 2017
Devastating news from Sutherland Springs, Texas. Our hearts are with the victims, their families, and brave first responders.
— Kyrsten Sinema (@RepSinema) November 6, 2017
Thoughts and prayers to the victims in today’s Texas shooting. I have a special tie to that community as former head of US DEA in that area.
— Joe Arpaio (@RealSheriffJoe) November 5, 2017
My thoughts are w/ victims & families in TX. My vote would be too, if @GOP stopped blocking commonsense measures to prevent these tragedies.
— Ruben Gallego (@RepRubenGallego) November 5, 2017
Praying for all impacted by horrific shooting in Sutherland Springs #TX & grateful to officers & 1st responders for their courageous action.
— John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) November 6, 2017
Words and prayers will help heal but actions will help prevent such senseless violence.
— Raul M. Grijalva (@RepRaulGrijalva) November 5, 2017
Praying for victims of the shooting @ First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, & their families. Gut wrenching & pure evil. God help us.
— Steve Montenegro (@SteveMontenegro) November 6, 2017