Just a day after singer Christina Grimmie was shot to death in Orlando, Florida, the world faced another unthinkable tragedy in the same city: the massacre of 50 people at Pulse, a popular gay nightclub. An additional 53 clubgoers were injured.
Officials have identified the shooter as 29-year-old Omar Mateen of Port St. Lucie, Florida. Mateen was killed in a shoot-out with law enforcement during an effort to rescue hostages inside the club. The massacre is the worst mass shooting in American history.
The scale of the tragedy drew strong reactions on Twitter, particularly from the LGBT community. Below, read a few reactions from musicians, including Against Me!’s Laura Jane Grace, Tegan and Sara, and Devonté Hynes of Blood Orange. SPIN will update this collection as we see more noteworthy tweets.
Devastated for our friends and family in the queer community. Our hearts, our anger, our tears are for you today. pic.twitter.com/l0Yw97XcPK
— Tegan and Sara (@teganandsara) 12 juin 2016
Waking up to news about the shootings in Orlando has me in tears.
— Laura Jane Grace (@LauraJaneGrace) 12 juin 2016
I’m terrified for my kid to grow up in this world
— Laura Jane Grace (@LauraJaneGrace) 12 juin 2016
There are no more safe spaces, this is devastating. https://t.co/lcuchuzGrp
— Devonté Hynes (@devhynes) 12 juin 2016
Say it. HATE CRIME. Listen to the words as they tumble out of your lips.
— JD SAMSON (@jdsamson) 12 juin 2016
so. much. violence. it hurts my heart. sending as much Light and love as I possibly can to anyone and everyone I can possibly reach.
— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) 12 juin 2016
How how how how can one have so much hate ????? My heart…… is so broken. Praying for the families of the Orlando victims. I am so sorry.
— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) 12 juin 2016
Praying for Orlando 🙏🏻
— Travis Barker (@travisbarker) 12 juin 2016
Orlando – I’m speechless and heartbroken.
— Kimya Dawson (@mrskimyadawson) 12 juin 2016
Ugh what the fuck? My heart breaks for the state of this country.
— Best Coast (@BestCoast) 12 juin 2016
Angry and sad beyond my ability to say anything meaningful or helpful. Wish I could help somehow. I send love to Pulse and to the grieving.
— The Mountain Goats (@mountain_goats) 12 juin 2016
Plane just landed. Turned phone on. I wasn’t ready to see that headline. What will it take just to have a conversation about #GunControl?
— Questlove Gomez (@questlove) 12 juin 2016
this tragedy cycle of Violence–> Verified Twitter Wisdom “thoughts & prayers”—> RTs—-> empty results is tired.
— Questlove Gomez (@questlove) 12 juin 2016
2016. WHY. https://t.co/B3YNCR2yNx
— hayley from Paramore (@yelyahwilliams) 12 juin 2016
A celebration of pride, identity, love & life, now ends w hate & horrible horrible tragedy. This world man. My heart goes out…
Devastating— solange knowles (@solangeknowles) 12 juin 2016
sending love to the victims of this mass shooting, and to their loved ones. We’re disgusted but we won’t lose pride. we won’t live in fear.
— Le1f (@le1f) 12 juin 2016
Ed Droste of Grizzly Bear:
