Las Vegas Shooting: Families Of Sandy Hook Victims React To Tragedy

NEWTOWN, CT — Families of those who were lost during the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting spoke out after over 50 people were killed and 400 injured in a shooting in Las Vegas Sunday night. The news of the shooting rendered emotions all too familiar to Newtown, and set the stage for an increased push for gun reform. The Newtown Action Alliance released a statement Monday and took to Twitter to call for gun reform.

"After the Sandy Hook tragedy and other mass shooting incidents, thoughts and prayers are offered by Congressional members who stand with the NRA," The Newtown Action Alliance said in a statement."But these members of Congress have failed to do their job to keep all Americans safe. Taking action to reduce gun violence should not be a political issue. It is a matter of public safety and public health. We implore all members of Congress to dig deep and find the courage to immediately reject the NRA policy proposals that loosen our gun laws and pass a package of sensible federal gun laws similar to what was passed in Connecticut after the Sandy Hook tragedy in a bipartisan manner."

At 10:08 p.m. local time in Las Vegas, a gunman began opening fire on a 22,000-person crowd that gathered for a Jason Aldean concert. The barrage lasted for about 30 seconds and then there was a pause before the shots started again. People climbed over each other, running for safety as people were shot around them.

Las Vegas Sheriff Joe Lombardo said the shooter is dead and identified him as 64-year-old Stephen Paddock of Mesquite, Nevada. Lombardo said that Paddock had killed himself before officers entered the hotel room. Authorities believe Paddock acted alone.

Read more:

• Las Vegas Mass Shooting: More Than 50 Dead, 400 Injured In Worst Shooting In U.S. History, Says Sheriff
• Las Vegas Shooting: Raw Videos Capture Moments As Carnage Unfolded
• Subscribe to your local patch in Connecticut for the latest breaking news and our daily newsletters.

Sandy Hook mother Nelba Marquez-Greene blamed the Las Vegas shooting on Congress' lack of action in a series of tweets Monday morning. Marquez-Greene lost her 6-year-old daughter, Anna, during the shooting at Sandy Hook.

Sandy Hook Promise issued a statement on Twitter Monday.

The family of Victoria Soto, a teacher killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary school, issued a statement on its Facebook Page.

Sen. Chris Murphy called out fellow legislators for being afraid of the gun industry and said there aren't public policy responses to the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.

“This must stop. It is positively infuriating that my colleagues in Congress are so afraid of the gun industry that they pretend there aren't public policy responses to this epidemic," Murphy, a Democrat, said in a statement on his website. "There are, and the thoughts and prayers of politicians are cruelly hollow if they are paired with continued legislative indifference. It's time for Congress to get off its ass and do something."

It is not known if there are any ties to Connecticut as of 10:30 a.m. State Police spokeswoman Trooper Kelly Grant said the state urges residents to be vigilant.

"Connecticut state troopers remind residents to remain vigilant," Grant said. "If you see something out of place or suspicious activity contact police."

Image: David Becker/Stringer/Getty Images News/ Getty Images