Assemblywoman Christy Smith, D-Santa Clarita, adjourned the Tuesday floor session of the California State Assembly in honor of those affected by the Saugus High shooting last November.

With a heavy heart, we adjourned today in memory of Dominic Michael Blackwell and Gracie Anne Muehlberger, two innocent lives cut too short on November 14, 2019 during the shooting at Saugus High School. It was one of the worst days our community has ever endured. pic.twitter.com/803dfw2A23

— Assemblywoman Christy Smith (@AsmChristySmith) January 7, 2020

“Colleagues, today I rise with a heavy heart, as Nov. 14 of last year, one of my home high schools became another in a sadly long list of schools struck by school shootings,” said Smith in her statement. “I rise with a heavy heart to adjourn in memory of two young lives cut much too short in the shooting at Saugus High School.”

On the morning of Nov. 14, 2019, the landscape of the Santa Clarita community was “forever changed” when 16-year-old Nathaniel Berhow walked into the quad of Saugus High School, pulled a .45-caliber semi-automatic handgun from his backpack and opened fire, according to Sheriff’s officials.

See Related: Saugus High Shooting: One Month Later

Two students, 15-year-old Gracie Muehlberger and 14-year-old Dominic Blackwell, were killed as a result of the shooting. Three other students were injured before Berhow turned the gun on himself, resulting in his death the next day.

Smith went on during her statement to read personalized comments on the personalities and young lives of Gracie and Dominic.

Gracie was described by her family as “vivacious, funny, loyal” and “the daughter we always dreamed to have; fiercely strong and a lover of all things fashionable. She was our best friend,” according to Smith.

Reflecting on his daughter, Gracie’s father said of her in a statement quoted by Smith, “‘She was able to make a larger impact on more people and more communities than most of us will in a lifetime.’”

Dominic was the oldest of four sons, and was “a kid with an infectious laugh, a bright smile and a kind heart,” as quoted by Smith.

“Their loss is devastating, and the violence leaves an enormous void in our community,” said Smith in closing. “I ask that we adjourn in their memory, and that we hold them, and the other students who were wounded, their families, the Saugus High School community and our Santa Clarita community in our hearts.”

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