Father of girl shot in rampage says gun violence is epidemic

The father of a 14-year-old girl shot in the head during a deadly rampage in southwestern Michigan says the U.S. must realize it has a gun violence epidemic.

The remarks from Gene Kopf came at a Thursday rally at Bronson Park in Kalamazoo that was part of the Wear Orange campaign. The Kalamazoo Gazette reports he says of the gun violence problem “the only way to solve it is to recognize it.”

Abigail Kopf is recovering following the Feb. 20 rampage that killed six and injured another woman. Uber driver Jason Dalton is charged with murder and attempted murder in the apparently random attacks. A pre-trial conference is Monday in his case.

Wear Orange events took place in Detroit, Grand Rapids and elsewhere for National Gun Violence Awareness Day.  (AP)