Messages of Condolence

LOS ANGELES - Attorney General Kamala D. Harris issued the following statement on the shooting at University of California, Los Angeles:

“The entire UCLA community is in my thoughts and prayers.  I want to thank the first responders and local law enforcement agencies for their swift response to protect students, faculty, and staff.  I am closely monitoring the situation and the California Department of Justice is standing by to support local law enforcement as necessary.”

LOS ANGELES– Today Attorney General Kamala D. Harris issued the following statement in remembrance of the beginning of the Armenian Genocide:

"Today marks the 101st anniversary of the Armenien Genocide, an extremely dark period in world history. In the eight years between 1915 and 1923, 1.5 million Armenians were killed and countless more were forced to flee from the only home they knew. Today and every day, the Armenian Genocide and those who were lost must be solemnly remembered." 
 
In 2012, Attorney General Harris authored a friend-of-the-court brief filed in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in support of the right of Armenian Americans to seek justice in connection with unpaid Genocide-era insurance policies.  (Movsesian v. Victoria Versicherung AG, 670 F.3d 1067 (9th Cir. 2012)).
 
In 2013, several other states joined California in filing a similar brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to review the Court of Appeals’ adverse decision (Arzoumanian, et al. v. Munchener Ruckversicherungs-Gesellschaft Aktiengesellschaft AG).  The Supreme Court declined to review the case.

LOS ANGELES - Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today released the following statement on the terrorist attacks in Brussels, Belgium: 

“My thoughts and prayers are with the families of all those who lost their lives following today's terror attacks. These senseless acts of violence are an attack on all of humanity, and we will stand with Brussels until those responsible are brought to justice.”

LOS ANGELES - Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today issued the following statement on the death of California Highway Patrol Officer Nathan Taylor, who was killed in the line of duty: 

"On behalf of the California Department of Justice, I extend my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of California Highway Patrol Officer Nathan Taylor.  I also extend my condolences to Commissioner Joe Farrow and all the brave men and women of the California Highway Patrol.  This tragedy is a grave reminder of the dangers our law enforcement officers face each day in service of their communities and our great state.”

LOS ANGELES - Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today issued the following statement on the passing of former First Lady Nancy Reagan: 

“Nancy Reagan was an extraordinary woman that redefined the role of the First Lady and left a lasting mark in the fight to treat those suffering from Alzheimer’s. I extend my deepest sympathies to the Reagan family during this difficult time.” 

LOS ANGELES – Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today issued the following statement on the passing of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia:

"My condolences go out to Justice Scalia's family and his colleagues on the Court who mourn his loss. In his three decades on the Supreme Court, Justice Scalia left a lasting impression on American jurisprudence. Even those of us who vigorously disagreed with his views recognized the power of his intellect."

LOS ANGELES - Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today issued the following statement on the deaths of Tulare County Sheriff's Deputy Scott Ballantyne and Pilot James Chavez, who were killed in the line of duty:

"On behalf of the California Department of Justice, I extend my heartfelt sympathies to the families and loved ones of Deputy Scott Ballantyne and pilot James Chavez.  I also extend my condolences to Sheriff Mike Boudreaux and the entire Tulare County Sheriff's Office, which has not only lost two colleagues but two family members.  Their dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice for the County of Tulare and State of California will never be forgotten."

SAN BERNARDINO – Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today visited the scene of yesterday’s mass shooting in San Bernardino and was briefed by San Bernardino County Sheriff John McMahon on the ongoing investigation. She also met with members of the Board of Supervisors to discuss how the California Department of Justice can continue to provide critical resources to San Bernardino County and our  local, state and federal law enforcement partners conducting the investigation.  The California Department of Justice, Division of Law Enforcement, has had two dozen Special Agents on the ground to assist law enforcement partners in coordinating investigative efforts and sharing intelligence and resources.

Attorney General Harris released the following statement on the ongoing situation:

“My office continues to work closely with our local and federal law enforcement partners to support the ongoing investigation into yesterday’s tragic mass shooting. Let us continue to keep the families and loved ones of the victims, as well as the entire San Bernardino community, in our prayers.”

LOS ANGELES - Attorney General Kamala D. Harris released the following statement on the death of California State University, Long Beach student Nohemi Gonzalez in yesterday’s attacks in Paris:

“On behalf of the California Department of Justice, I extend my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Nohemi Gonzales, whose young life was among those so tragically cut short by reprehensible acts of terrorism in Paris yesterday.  We stand with Nohemi’s loved ones and the entire California State University, Long Beach family, as they grieve this loss and seek solace in this tragic hour. We are all Parisians today.”

LOS ANGELES - Attorney General Kamala D. Harris released the following statement in response to the attacks in Paris:

“My thoughts and prayers are with all of Paris and the victims’ families following today’s senseless and horrific acts of violence. Today, let us rededicate ourselves to the global fight against those who terrorize innocent civilians and attempt to undermine our values.”