Country singer on mass shootings: 'A lot of people have neglected God'
In the aftermath of a mass shooting in Thousand Oaks, California, Country singer Morgan Wallen said he believes many have turned away from God.
The 25-year-old Big Loud Records artist was asked by Taste of Country how he felt about the Nov. 7 shooting at the Borderline Bar & Grill. He responded, "I realized it was a country bar. I mean, first, it’s sort of scary. Then you get mad."
Since then, he says he’s been thinking about it all nonstop. He then shared why he thinks things like this keep happening.
"I don’t have any answers, but in my personal opinion, I’m a person that has faith and I believe that a lot of people have neglected God," he shared.
"We don’t put the Ten Commandments in school anymore. We just neglect everything and people act like the Ten Commandments is something so terrible. I mean, it’s a way to live. I think we all could agree on what they say."
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The Nov. 7 massacre was carried out by a former Marine who walked in Borderline Bar & Grill armed with a Glock 21 .45-caliber handgun and an illegal extended magazine. The night was hosting a country music night for college students 18 and over. Twelve people, including a veteran sheriff's sergeant nearing retirement, were killed, officials said.
“I believe in God. I believe that He’s real and I believe He has control over a lot of things and I think throughout history there has been a lot of countries that have turned their back on Him and the result is not great. Hopefully, we can get something figured out," Wallen continued.
When told that some of the survivors of the Las Vegas mass shooting last October were also at the Borderline Bar, Wallen replied: "No one should have to go through that once."
"And definitely not twice," he asserted. "I guess it’s just the reality of the world we live in."
Meanwhile, the mother of slain 27-year-old Telemachus Orfanos believes the government is at fault. In a recent interview, she said she wants no more thoughts and prayers.
"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," the grieving mother told ABC 13.
Pastor Shawn Thornton of Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village told ABC 2 that he understands people’s frustration. Twenty to 30 members of Thorton’s ministry were inside Borderline Bar & Grill during the deadly shooting.
Noel Sparks, a part-time staff member who worked at the church while going to college, was among the dead.
"'If God is God, how could this happen?'" Thornton said. "That's a question that will emerge."
