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Stephen Colbert struggled to find the words as he addressed the tragic news over the fatal shooting at a Texas elementary school.
At least 19 people, including children and teachers, were shot dead at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde on Tuesday.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott later identified the suspected gunman as Salvador Ramos, an 18-year-old who was reportedly a student at Uvalde High School.
During Tuesday’s instalment of the Late Show, the 58-year-old host opened up the show by speaking about the ‘unspeakable’ tragedy.
‘There is nothing that can ever be said that can approach the immeasurable grief of those families,’ he said.
‘But while we’re at it, let’s pray this time our leaders show a modicum of courage in trying to prevent this from ever happening again.’
‘But prayers won’t end this – voting might.’ (Picture: CBS)
‘But prayers won’t end this – voting might.’
Colbert later pleaded with viewers to consider ‘who running for office has publicly stated that they’re willing to do anything and everything to protect your children from the criminally insane number of guns in America?’
Fellow celebrities expressed their sadness over the horrific event while calling for stricter gun laws.
Broadcaster Piers Morgan, who has long campaigned for gun safety in the US, tweeted: ‘Nothing was done after Sandy Hook to stop another school massacre like that happening again.
Devastated families gathered outside the school (Picture: AP)
‘It’s now happened again.
‘Schoolchildren being slaughtered in their classrooms should not be a political issue. Please, America, stop the partisan bulls**t and do something to stop it.’
Grammy-winning singer Taylor Swift tweeted: ‘Filled with rage and grief, and so broken by the murders in Uvalde. By Buffalo, Laguna Woods and so many others. By the ways in which we, as a nation, have become conditioned to unfathomable and unbearable heartbreak. Steve’s words ring so true and cut so deep.’
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Billie Eilish’s brother and Oscar-winning producer Finneas also expressed anger at the situation, writing: ‘Anyone saying ‘now isn’t the time to talk about gun control’ doesn’t care that kids got f****** murdered today.’
The mass shooting comes almost 10 years after a gunman shot dead 26 students and teachers at Sandy Hook Elementary in Connecticut.
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