Madden: My heart aches for families of Parkland school shooting victims after jury recommendation

HARRISBURG, Oct. 13 -- State Rep. Maureen Madden, D-Monroe, offers the following statement after jurors today recommended life in prison for the murderer who killed 17 people and wounded 17 others at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, on Feb. 14, 2018:

"Regardless of today's jury recommendation in the 2018 Parkland school shooting, my heart aches for the families and friends of the victims.

"I've visited and cried with the families in Florida. I've continued to work with grieving parents, as well as my staff and several colleagues in the House of Representatives, to find legislative solutions here in PA to help prevent further unspeakable tragedies like the one at Florida's Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Valentine's Day, 2018. And I remain committed to protecting students, teachers and faculty -- and their families and friends -- from future pain and anguish.

"I know the courage and decency shown daily by Parkland parents like Tony Montalto, Lori Alhadeff, Max Schachter and so many other traumatized family members who will never be the same but somehow continue to fight for change so others don't experience what they have. I see you and feel for you and love you today and every day."