Bernie Sanders had this to say regarding the shooting.

[NikolaC]

110. It is unfair to paint Southerners with such a broad brush

I grew up in New York, was called the "N" word several times over the years, and experienced racism in a variety of forms living there. I still love New York because my experience was not representative of most of the people who live there. I was also called the "N" word when I went to Connecticut on business with my husband years ago. I also lived in Virginia for several years and, while I still encountered some issues, the vast majority of people I met there, whether they were liberal or conservative, were nice and respectful.

I moved to the Silicon Valley area three years ago and have encountered more racism, in a variety of ways, living here than in all of my years living in Virginia. I will still not blame everyone in the state of California, or this area, for the actions of those whom I have come across while living here. I've traveled a lot and found that I should not make broad brush statements, based on my experiences, about whole states since there is good and bad everywhere and, unfortunately, we hear about the worst examples of humanity more than the good.

I agree with Senator Sanders and this was another horrifying example, in my opinion, of racism and hate at work. My heart breaks for the victims, the survivors and their loved ones.