The Washington Mystics got back on the win track with a 70-50 victory over the Atlanta Dream. The win improves the Mystics to a 6-2 record. In the game, star Elena Delle Donne became the second-fastest WNBA player to reach 4,000 career points.
However, after the game the win was not on the mind of the Mystics.
Assistant coach Eric Thibault deflected many basketball questions and took the time to reflect on Tuesday’s school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.
When it was time for players’ session with the media, the Mystics instead decided to have a media blackout to keep focus on the shooting.
Mystics guard Natasha Cloud delivered a strong message on behalf of the team in the wake of Tuesday’s shooting. She also took the time to speak on gun laws and the senseless acts of violence.
“We’re talking about our kids and not being safe to go to school,” Cloud passionately stated.
“We are tired of the lives being lost in this country for senseless [expletive],” she continued. “It is time to implement gun laws and stop caring about profit and money over people and lives.”
An 18-year old gunman crashed his vehicle and then opened fire at Robb Elementary. A total of 19 students were killed along with two teachers, according to CNN. The gunman also shot his grandmother before his attack on the school.
The school is located near the Mexico border. The U.S. Customs and Border Patrol is the largest law enforcement agency in the area. Reportedly 20 CBP officers have children that attended the school.
Eventually, the gunman was killed by officers.
During warmups Cloud wore an Everytown shirt in efforts of advocating for gun safety.
Before Tuesday’s game the Washington Nationals lowered stadium flags to half mast. The club also held a moment of silence in observance of the shooting victims and their families.
