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Mum Of Thousand Oaks Shooting Victim Wants Gun Control Not Prayers

Mum Of Thousand Oaks Shooting Victim Wants Gun Control Not Prayers

Telemachus Orfanos had survived the 2017 Las Vagas shootings, but lost his life this week in the Thousand Oaks mass shooting

Rachael Grealish

Rachael Grealish

The mother of a man who survived the Las Vagas shootings, but was killed in the Thousand Oaks mass shooting says she doesn't want your prayers - she wants better gun control.

Telemachus Orfanos was one of the 12 poor victims of the recent mass shootings in California when 28-year-old Ian David Long opened fire on patrons at the Borderline Bar & Grill on Wednesday night. According to his mother, Susan Orfanos her son lost his life in the shooting after surviving the Las Vagas shootings in 2017 where 57 people were killed and over 850 were injured.

In an ABC News video she said: "My son was in Las Vegas with a lot of his friends and he came home.

"He didn't come home last night, and I don't want prayers. I don't want thoughts.

"I want gun control, and I hope to God nobody sends me anymore prayers. I want gun control. No more guns!"

Mother Of Thousand Oaks Shooting Victims Wants Gun Control Not Prayers.
PA

Her emotional plea comes after thousands have shared on social media they're sending thoughts an prayers.

Susan is not alone in her reaction to the devastating shooting - two writers who were at the scene of the Capital Gazette newsroom shooting, in Maryland, where five people were killed back in June this year have spoken out to CNN.

One staff writer, Sam Felice said: "I'm not trying to make this political, all right. But we need more than prayers. I appreciate the prayers. I was praying the entire time I was under that desk. I want your prayers, but I want something else."

Mother Of Thousand Oaks Shooting Victims Wants Gun Control Not Prayers.
PA

Phil Davis, Felice's colleague, added: "I was praying when he started reloading that shotgun that there weren't going to be more bodies. And you know what? If we're at a position in our society where all we offer each other is prayers, then where are we? Where are we as a society where people die and that's the end of that story?"

During the harrowing incident Long fired a Glock .45-caliber handgun without a word at customers in the bar. He shot first at a security guard, then at a woman working behind the bar - though authorities say there was no indication that Long was targeting employees.

Hours after the shooting 12 people were left dead and the ex-Marine Corps Vetran was found dead, apparently from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: World News, News, US News