Fourteen people were confirmed killed and 14 more wounded in a mass shooting at a San Bernardino community social services building. “We do have some preliminary numbers of upwards of 14 people that are dead and upwards of 14 people that are injured,” said Chief Jarrod Burguan of San Bernardino Police. The shooting was first reported at about 10:59 a.m. at the Inland Regional Center, 1365 South Waterman Avenue. The gunfire erupted in a conference room being rented by an outside group, according to Maybeth Fields of the Inland Regional Center. She said she was not aware of which outside group, but another worker told reporters he believed the group was a San Bernardino County public agency. Authorities were still clearing the “massive facility” as of 2:15 p.m., Burguan said. “We do not have any identification on who those suspects are, we do not have any motive for the shooting at this point,” said Burguan. “The only information I have at this point is they came prepared to do what they did and that they were on a mission.” He added it’s believed the suspects have fled, possibly in a dark-colored SUV. San Bernardino police Sgt. Vicki Cervantes said that there are believed to be multiple shooters wearing military-style gear. While no motive for the shooting was immediately known, FBI Asst. Director David Bowdich told reporters, “I will tell you right now, we do not know if this is a terrorist incident.”
Stay tuned. And let us pray…
O God, author and giver of peace,
in whose image and likeness each of us has been created
with a human dignity worthy of respect on earth
and destined for eternal glory,
Listen to the cry that rises from every corner of this fragile earth,
from our human family torn by violent conflict:
Give peace in our time, O good and gracious God,
that peace which, as your Son Jesus Christ told us
and as we have experienced in these days,
is a peace which the world cannot give.
To world leaders grant the wisdom
to see beyond the boundaries of race, religion, and nation
to that common humanity that makes us all your children
and brothers and sisters to one another.
To those who have taken up arms in anger or revenge
or even in the cause of justice
grant the grace of conversion to the path of peaceful dialogue
and constructive collaboration.
To the innocent who live in the shadow of war and terror,
especially the frightened children,
be a shelter and strength, their haven and hope.
And to those who have already lost their lives
as victims of human cruelty and chemical warfare,
open wide your arms and enfold them all
in the embrace of your compassion, healing, and everlasting life.
Grant this through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord.
Mary, Mother of all and Queen of peace, pray for us.
-Peter J. Scagnelli [Source]
And today we celebrate...