Donald Trump has been slammed for his 'grossly inappropriate' comments on the recent Brown University shooting.
During the mass shooting which took place at the prestigious Ivy League institution over the weekend (13 December), two people were killed and nine were left injured.
One of the nine wounded students had been released from the hospital, said University president Christina Paxson. Seven others were in a critical but stable condition, and one was in a critical condition.
The gunman opened fire inside a classroom in the engineering building, firing more than 40 rounds from a 9mm handgun, a law enforcement official told the Associated Press.
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Two handguns were recovered when the person of interest was taken into custody, and authorities also found two loaded 30-round magazines, the official said.
Colonel Oscar Perez, the Providence police chief, said yesterday that no one had been charged yet and no one else was being sought.
The following day, on Sunday (14 December), Trump spoke at the White House Christmas reception, where he addressed the shooting. Take a look:
"I just want to pay my respects, unfortunately," the 79-year-old Republican said. "Two who are no longer with us. Brown University, nine injured. Two are looking down on us from heaven."
He said that Brown is a 'great school, really one of the greatest schools anywhere in the world' but then added: "Things can happen, so to the nine injured, get well fast. And to the families of those two who are no longer with us, I pay my deepest regards and respects from the United States of America.
"Thank you very much. It’s a very important thing to say. And we mean it."
While Trump did send his 'deepest regards,' his 'things can happen' line sparked major backlash on social media.
One X user slammed: "How grossly inappropriate 'things can happen'??? Wtf."
"Things can happen is a crazy precursor to well wishes," penned a second, while a third sarcastically chimed in: "'Things can happen.' The absolute eloquence!!!"
A fourth echoed: "The compassion is so strong in his statement!"
"What the f*ck does 'things can happen...' mean?" hit out a fifth as a sixth jabbed: "'Things can happen', said to grieving families."
Another lamented: "People died but all he can say is 'things can happen?'"
And a final X user added: "'Things can happen', the official slogan of a leadership that has given up. Not tragedy. Just Tuesday. And the victims? Hmm, get well fast."
Topics: Crime, Donald Trump, News, Politics, US News, Social Media, Twitter
Rhiannon Ingle