Mayoral hopefuls offer prayers, tributes — and calls for action after tragedy

Toni Preckwinkle said the senseless deaths from Monday’s tragedy at Mercy Hospital underscore the need for “comprehensive federal gun legislation — now.”

“No day should ever end this way,” she tweeted.

State Comptroller Susana Mendoza agreed that prayers must be followed by action.

“Today we mourn. Tomorrow we must act.”

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Attorney and activist Amara Enyia paid tribute to all the victims and called for “adequate domestic violence support, mental health resources, and better screening for gun permits.”

“Today we mourn Dr. O’Neal, as well as Officer Samuel Jimenez and pharmacy resident Dayna Less,” she tweeted. “ Tomorrow we surely will mourn others if nothing is done.”

In response to the shootings, which left four people dead, Chicago mayoral candidates took to social media and issued press releases expressing their thoughts and prayers and calling for legislative and policy solutions.

Here is a sampling of some of their reactions from Monday night and Tuesday:

“I extend my deepest condolences to the family of Officer Jimenez, and to the families of the medical personnel who also lost their lives in today’s senseless shooting at Mercy Hospital,” Mendoza tweeted. “The murderer used his gun for only one purpose — to kill innocent human beings. Today is yet another grim reminder of how much work we have to do. Today we mourn. Tomorrow we must act.”

Bill Daley tweeted his thoughts about Jimenez and the Gresham District officer wounded after a traffic stop Tuesday.

Amara Enyia issued a statement on Tuesday:

“Tamara O’Neal was like most women in America. She had a career she loved, a strong network of friends from her community, and hopes for a long, happy life. On Monday she was pronounced dead; killed at the hand of a former romantic partner and a victim of one of the most prevalent and pernicious risks to women in our developed nation.

“The carnage didn’t end there. The dead also included a brave Chicago police officer, a pharmaceutical technician and the gunman himself. This is a senseless incident that might never have happened if Chicago provided adequate domestic violence support, mental health resources, and better screening for gun permits. These issues are existential threats to our city and our people and must be addressed starting the first day the next mayor and City Council take office.

“Changes in these categories won’t come easy, but they are the most critical. We need to develop policy that creates fast, efficient, easily accessible services for those at risk of domestic violence, we need to restore and then expand the mental health services our city has lost, and we need to ensure that anyone carrying a gun has passed a stringent series of checks.

“Today we mourn Dr. O’Neal, as well as Officer Samuel Jimenez and pharmacy resident Dayna Less. Tomorrow we surely will mourn others if nothing is done.”

Willie Wilson asked that the gunman be included in prayers offered for those affected by the “horrible shooting.”

“From the Personal Desk of

“Dr. Willie Wilson

“With the Thanksgiving season upon us and the time of year we give particular thanks for family, another multiple shooting rips our city apart. More lives lost. More families devastated. My heart breaks for the families of Dr. Tamara O’Neal, Pharmacy Resident Dayna Less and Chicago Police Officer Samuel Jimenez — who were killed in yesterday’s horrible shooting at Mercy Hospital. We send heartfelt condolences and prayers to their families during this difficult time. We also pray for the gunman, Juan Lopez and all those affected by this unbelievable act.

“At this time, my family & I stand WITH YOU in every way, as your neighbor and fellow Chicagoan. We must stand TOGETHER, as a community, as a city, in these painful times of need. May God bless you and may God bless Chicago.

“In God We Trust,

“Dr. Willie Wilson

“11.20.18”

Former Police Supt. Garry McCarthy offered prayers for the victims of the tragedy Monday night and again on Tuesday.

“Innocent lives, including one who swore an oath to protect have been lost. We are all somber tonight. I pray for all those affected,” he tweeted Monday.

A little while later Monday, he lashed out at a union coalition that blasted him in a statement explaining why he had been excluded from a candidate forum Monday night.

“Typical of your ilk to play politics during a mass shooting with a police officer murdered,” McCarthy tweeted. “This is why I’m proud of my friends, and just as proud of my foes.”

Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown issued a statement offering prayers and calling for stronger gun laws.

“Tonight, I, along with all of the City of Chicago, grieve the senseless shootings that happened at Mercy Hospital today. I offer my prayers to the families of those wounded and killed, including Officer Samuel Jimenez who made the ultimate sacrifice while trying to save lives.

“And while prayers and condolences are important and appropriate, it is even more important that we enact sensible and strong gun control laws that keep weapons out of the hands of the unstable, like today’s shooter. How many more mass shootings, how many more random shootings will it take before we enact and enforce the laws necessary to make sure that those who should never have a gun don’t get one.

“The best way to honor the dead and wounded is to make sure we do everything in our power to curtail easy access to guns. I am committed to that and will work tirelessly to make that a reality.”

Rich Hein/Sun-Times