Their Tragedy

By: Righty

August 3, 2026

Before we get into politics or policy, let's remember what matters most.

Another community has been devastated by a mass shooting in Twin Falls. Innocent lives have been taken, families have been shattered, and countless others will carry the trauma for the rest of their lives. We know that 23-year-old Ashley Garibay is among the victims, and our hearts go out to every family affected by this senseless act of violence.

Unfortunately, what happens next has become predictable. Before all the facts are known, the political debate begins. Calls for gun control dominate the headlines while others argue for different solutions. In moments like these, emotions run high, but that's exactly why facts matter.

There is no question that mass shootings are horrific. Every innocent life lost is one too many. But it's also important to keep these tragedies in perspective. Because they receive intense media coverage, they can create the impression that they are an everyday occurrence for the average American. While these events deserve national attention, they remain statistically uncommon compared with many other causes of death and injury.

Another point worth discussing is how these attacks often end. According to research from ALERRT, many active shooters stop their attacks after encountering armed resistance from law enforcement or an armed citizen. Based on the information currently available, it appears this incident ended after an armed private citizen intervened alongside an off-duty State Trooper. If that information is confirmed, their willingness to confront the shooter may have prevented even greater loss of life.

That doesn't mean we shouldn't ask difficult questions. We absolutely should. We should examine warning signs, mental health, law enforcement response, security measures, and whether anything could have prevented this tragedy before it began.

But I also believe we should resist allowing fear to drive the conversation. Public policy should be based on evidence, not emotion alone. It's possible to acknowledge that these attacks are heartbreaking while also recognizing that they are not representative of the everyday experience of most Americans.

At the end of the day, this shouldn't be about scoring political points. It should be about honoring the victims, supporting the families who are grieving, learning everything we can from what happened, and pursuing solutions that are supported by evidence.

The victims deserve more than becoming the latest talking point. They deserve a serious conversation focused on preventing the next tragedy while never forgetting the lives that were lost.