The Alliance for Gun Responsibility released the following statement on the shooting of Charleena Lyles in the Sand Point neighborhood of North Seattle:

“As a city and culture we failed Charleena Lyles. Her death was tragic, heartbreaking and unnecessary. She was a member of our community who was struggling with the trauma that comes with domestic abuse and exposure to violence. She asked for help, but she didn’t get the help she and her family needed. She was failed by multiple systems, at every level.

We cannot continue to accept this as the status quo. Our broken systems hurt those who most need and deserve support. While a needed investigation is being completed, it is our responsibility to acknowledge the institutional and structural racism and stigma that operate at the intersection of mental health, criminal justice and gun violence. This must change.

Our thoughts are with all of those impacted by this tragedy, especially Charleena’s children and family. We are committed to being part of the solution.”