Riverdale's Camila Mendes Sends Condolences to Parkland Victims After Hometown Mass Shooting

Actress said Parkland used to be her her home

Camila Mendes is thinking of her hometown in the wake of the deadly Parkland shooting. 

After 17 victims were killed in a mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida on Wednesday, the Riverdale star took to social media to send her condolences to all those affected by the tragedy and share in the grief of the immense loss. 

"#Parkland used to be my home, my sister attended Marjory Stoneman Douglas when I was in elementary school there," the actress recalled. "It's devastating that such a violent tragedy happened in a place that I've always considered safe, a place that I associate with such innocent, childhood memories."

"My heart goes out to all the families who are grieving the loss of a loved one, and for all the survivors who have to live with the trauma," she continued. 

Thousands of miles away in Hollywood, Mendes and other stars like Josh Gad were overcome with grief and frustration over the tragedy. 

"I am so angry tonight. I am so sad," the Frozen star tweeted. "I'm putting my phone down because we are debating sensible gun laws again. A child of one of our friend's has a bullet in his chest & is critical condition because a 19 year old had access to a military weapon. Pretend it's normal. It's not."

Hours later, Gad learned the child had died. "Last night, I received a text while I slept that our friend's son passed away from his gun shot wound," he wrote to fans. "My grief for this family and the many others knows no bounds. I'm so sorry this happened. I'm so sorry our leaders are worthless. I'm so sorry we are bound to repeat this again."

Nikolas Cruz, a 19-year-old former student and the suspected shooter, has since been arrested and charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder.