Democratic leaders in Massachusetts call for action to limit gun violence

Massachusetts leaders are reacting to the mass shootings in Lewiston, Maine on Wednesday night.

Officials say 18 people were killed and 13 were injured in two mass shootings. Law enforcement is still searching for the person of interest, Robert Card, 40, of Bowdoin, Maine.

Gov. Maura Healey said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that she's praying for the safety of the people of Lewiston: "My thoughts are with the victims’ families, survivors, and everyone across Maine and New England who’ll feel the weight of this senseless act of gun violence."

Healey added she's been in contact with Maine Gov. Janet Mills to offer the state's support.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu says the administration's thoughts are with the people of Maine in the wake of the shootings: "Everyone here is sending our deepest condolences and praying for the dozens of families that have been impacted, the lives that have been taken, and doing everything we can to help and hope for justice."

She added the incident is a reminder of the work that needs to be done to curb gun violence across the region.

Massachusetts' Democratic Congressional delegation issued similar statements expressing their devastation about the mass shooting, and calling for action.

U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley posted on X that her "heart breaks" for the Lewiston community.

"It’s long overdue we treat gun violence like the public health crisis that it is," she wrote.

U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton also expressed condolences. "Too many families are bonded by the horrors of losing someone to a senseless act of violence," he posted to X. "We need a lot more answers on what happened and how the system failed so tragically."

U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark, the Democratic whip, called on Republicans in the House to "immediately move to pass common sense gun reform."

The two senators from Massachusetts also joined in calls to end gun violence. Sen. Ed Markey described the shootings as "senseless and heartbreaking," and Sen. Elizabeth Warren said that "Congress and the Administration must act."