Source: Tom Williams / Getty
U.S. House Rep. Cori Bush’s car was riddled with bullets in the wee hours of Saturday morning, according to multiple reports. Thankfully, the Missouri lawmaker was not in the vehicle during the shocking incident. According to PEOPLE, Bush’s car was parked near St. Louis when the shooting occurred.
Following an outpour of support, Bush, who became Missouri’s first Black congresswoman back in August 2020, thanked fans and loved ones for their concerns.
“Like far too many of us in St. Louis, experiencing gun violence is all too familiar,” Bush told PEOPLE in a statement. “Thankfully no one was harmed. But any act of gun violence shakes your soul. No one should have to fear for their safety here in St. Louis and that is exactly why our movement is working every day to invest in our communities, eradicate the root causes of gun violence, and keep every neighborhood safe.”
The Democrat affirmed her appreciation on Twitter, telling her followers:
“I’m touched by everyone who has reached out.”
RELATED CONTENT: SpeakHER: Cori Bush, Activist, And Survivor Turned Congresswoman
While a number of people expressed their concerns over the lawmaker’s safety, a few political pundits used the opportunity to slam into Bush, including NYC Blue Lives Matter founder, Police Sgt. Joseph Imperatrice. While speaking on Fox News during a segment called “American’s Crime Crisis,” Imperatrice had the nerve to say this:
“The harsh truth is we need the lawmakers to be victims. We need them to understand when the worst situation possible hits them….they need to see it first hand just how bad the streets are.”
The Blue Lives Matter spokesman clarified that he did not wish harm on the politician, but he argued that the frightening experience should push lawmakers like Bush to get stricter on gun laws and policies.
“Fox News is literally out here advocating for me to face violence,” the 45-year-old clapped back. “I’m just gonna keep working to get justice. Y’all stay mad and be blessed.”
New York congressman, Jamaal Bowman also commented on the cringe-worthy segment, calling it “vile and disgusting.”
He added:
“We are thankful that Cori is safe and unharmed. That’s the only thing that needs to be said. You all can sit there and continue to be mad and hateful. She’ll keep doing the people’s work with love and conviction.”
Sadly, this isn’t the first time that Bush has been at the center of criticism and vitriol. Back in July 2021, the congresswoman exposed horrific messages she received from White supremacists, and some of the comments were utterly disgusting and downright disgraceful.
One post read, “Tone It down, b***h,” while another hateful commenter wrote, “the only good n***er, is a dead ni***er.”
“White supremacists wanted me dead before I came to Congress,” Bush tweeted at the time.” And white supremacist threats on my life have only intensified as a Black woman speaking truth in the halls of power. Just know: They won’t stop us. They can’t,” she ended her powerful message.
RELATED CONTENT: ‘They Won’t Stop Us’: Rep. Cori Bush Shares Racist Death Threats She’s Received Since Taking Office
