Lansing, MI — As the third anniversary of the tragic shooting at Oxford High School approaches, Michigan’s political leaders are paying tribute to the victims and offering support to those still affected by the heartbreaking event. On December 1, 2021, the Oxford community was forever changed when four young lives were taken in a senseless act of gun violence.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Representative Elissa Slotkin, and Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist each issued statements honoring the victims, recognizing the profound pain felt by the Oxford community, and calling for continued efforts to protect students and families across the state.
In her statement, Governor Whitmer reflected on the loss of Madisyn Baldwin, Tate Myre, Justin Shilling, and Hana St. Juliana, acknowledging that their deaths left a lasting scar on the community. “Today, Michiganders unite to honor the four beautiful young souls we lost three years ago in the heartbreaking tragedy at Oxford High School,” she said. The governor went on to stress the importance of standing together in the face of grief and resolving to protect future generations from similar tragedies. “Let us continue to honor the memories of those we have lost and build out of our grief a resolve to protect our children, our families, and our communities,” she added.
Representative Elissa Slotkin also expressed her sympathy, noting that the shooting tore a hole in the heart of the Oxford community. “Three years ago we lost Madisyn Baldwin, Tate Myre, Justin Shilling, and Hana St. Juliana to senseless gun violence. Oxford was forever changed,” she said. Slotkin emphasized the lasting emotional toll the tragedy has had on both the victims’ families and the broader community, acknowledging that each anniversary can reopen painful wounds. She concluded by urging continued unity in the face of violence, advocating for stronger efforts to protect students nationwide.
Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist’s statement was equally heartfelt. He shared that his thoughts, along with those of the entire state, are with the people of Oxford as they mark the anniversary. “As we mark three years since the heartbreak and shock of the tragedy in Oxford, we honor and grieve the lost, comfort the wounded, and care for all those whose lives were irreversibly changed on that day,” Gilchrist said. He reinforced that school should be a place of learning, not fear, and reiterated the state’s commitment to ensuring the safety of Michigan’s schools.
The statements from Michigan’s leaders reflect a collective commitment to supporting the Oxford community as it continues its long journey of healing. While progress has been made, the emotional scars remain, and the call for stronger protections for students and communities resonates across the state. The tragedy serves as a painful reminder of the urgent need to address gun violence, a crisis that continues to impact families, schools, and communities nationwide.
