An emotional Jeff Blashill fought back tears as the Detroit Red Wings coach gave his thoughts on a high school shooting that left three teenagers dead on Tuesday in Michigan.
"I just want to send out my prayers to the families that were affected today in Oxford," the Detroit-born coach said, his voice trembling after the Red Wings' 2-1 victory in Boston against the Bruins on Tuesday night.
"It's a terrible, terrible thing. It just shouldn't happen. Nothing I say certainly can do anything to help those that suffered the tragedy, that lost their lives. It's insane that this is somewhat normal and it just shouldn't happen. My heart goes out to everybody involved, everybody at the school, the community.
"It's got to stop."
Authorities said a 16-year-old boy, a 14-year-old girl and a 17-year-old girl were killed and eight others were injured at Oxford High School in Oxford Township, Mich. -- about 50 kilometres north of Detroit.
A 15-year-old boy is in custody.
The suspect’s father bought the 9mm Sig Sauer used in the shooting on Friday, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said, adding that he did not know why the man bought the gun. Bouchard said the suspect had practised shooting with the gun and posted pictures of it and the target.
Our thoughts are with Oxford, MI tonight. pic.twitter.com/fo3ORqLGZz
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) December 1, 2021
"It's an unspeakable tragedy what happened today," Red Wings captain and Michigan native Dylan Larkin said. "It hit us hard, it hit the guys in the room hard. We're thinking about the victims and the entire community. We're there to support and we just feel awful about the tragedy that happened today."
Detroit Pistons coach and former Toronto Raptors coach Dwane Casey called it a "senseless act."
Prior to tonight's game, @DetroitPistons head coach Dwane Casey took a moment to offer condolences following the senseless act of violence at Oxford High School earlier this afternoon. #Pistons pic.twitter.com/OXQY2hjYFe
— Bally Sports Detroit (@BallySportsDET) December 1, 2021
"It bothers you that you can't send your kids to school and expect them to be safe," Casey said before his team's game in Portland against the Trail Blazers.
-- With files from The Associated Press.
