‘Abbott Elementary’ Creator Qunita Brunson Addresses Demands for School Shooting Episode Following Texas Massacre

Abbott Elementary creator Quinta Brunson says she’ll never do a school shooting episode, despite viewers’ demands.

Brunson, who also stars in the ABC sitcom, declared her stance via Twitter on Wednesday—just a day after an 18-year-old gunman opened fire in a Texas elementary school, killing 19 children and two teachers. 

“Wild how many people have asked for a school shooting episode of the show I write,” the 32-year-old tweeted. “People are that deeply removed from demanding more from the politicians they’ve elected and are instead demanding ‘entertainment.’ I can’t ask ‘are yall ok’ anymore because the answer is ‘no.’”

She then urged fans to “use that energy” on elected officials, suggesting they pressure lawmakers into supporting stricter gun control measures.

“… Ask your elected official to get on Beto time and nothing less,” Brunson wrote, referencing Texas Democratic gubernatorial nominee Beto O’Rourke. “I’m begging you.”

Brunson went on to share a message from a fan who proposed a school shooting storyline for Abbott Elementary—a comedy series that follows a group of teachers at a Philadelphia public school.

“I don’t want to sound mean, but I want people to understand the flaw in asking for something like this,” Brunson wrote. “We’re not okay. This country is rotting our brains. I’m sad about it.”

Tuesday’s attack at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas, marked the 27^th school shooting in 2022, so far. It was also the deadliest school shooting since 2012’s Sandy Hook massacre, in which 20 children and six faculty members were killed.

Brunson and her Abbott Elementary co-stars responded to the tragedy on social media Tuesday.

“Every time this happens I watch the conversation move toward the why,” tweeted Brunson, who plays second-grade teacher Janine Teagues. “Mental health, race, class, domestic dispute etc. I kind of can’t stand that because all it does is protect the only constant in each case: a gun […] Sick to my stomach tonight over the love affair America has with guns.”

Sheryl Lee Ralph, who plays kindergarten teacher Barbara Howard on Abbott Elementary, expressed similar concerns.