Twitter reacts to Central Michigan University shooting
The tragic shooting on March 2 in Campbell Hall might have locked down the entire Central Michigan University campus in eerie silence, but it had the opposite effect on the digital landscape of Twitter.
Politicians, celebrities, athletes and others took to Twitter to respond to Friday’s shooting at CMU with overwhelming support for the university, students and police personnel, who finally apprehended James Eric Davis Jr. the early morning of March 3. Davis Jr. is suspected of fatally shooting his parents James Eric Davis Sr. and Diva Janeen Davis on March 2 in Campbell Hall. The shooting made national news and was one of Twitter’s top-trending stories for March 2.
Vice President Mike Pence also addressed the CMU shooting during his speech at Westin Book Cadillac in Detroit on Friday. The violence came in the wake of the terrible shooting in Parkland, Florida, he said, adding that “school safety is now the top priority of the Trump Administration.”
“Our hearts are heavy,” Pence said. “As a nation, we mourn with those who mourn and we grieve with those who grieve.”
Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, who arrived at CMU yesterday for a press conference, and gubernatorial candidates Gretchen Whitmer and Brian Calley tweeted their support.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown also tweeted, showing love for the university where he got his start as a college football star.
Western Michigan University paid its respects during CMU’s moment of crisis, as did Ferris State University.
The shooting also drew attention from the entertainment sector. “Beauty and the Beast” actor Josh Gad tweeted for everyone on campus to stay safe, and comedian Chris Titus tweeted about the cultural conversation regarding campus shootings.
Given the current national conversation about gun control and school shootings, a number of tweets focused on Washington D.C.'s policies on guns. Survivors of last month’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida tweeted solidarity with CMU during this time. Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action, also tweeted.
