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'Get her out NOW': Katie Hobb's press secretary Josselyn Berry slammed for promoting gun violence amid Nashville school shooting

Josselyn Berry's recent tweet gained criticism after she shared an image of actress Gena Rowlands from movie 'Gloria' holding two guns in her hands

PHOENIX, ARIZONA: Arizona governor Katie Hobbs' press secretary, Josselyn Berry, stirred social media uproar with her tweet targeting transphobes just hours after a transgender shooter gunned down six victims in a Nashville school shooting. Audrey Hale, 28, murdered three nine-year-old children and three adults at The Covenant School on March 27.

Josselyn Berry shared a gif with an armed woman holding two handguns alongside the caption, "Us when we see transphobes." Republicans and internet users have since ordered the governor's press secretary to be fired immediately for the obnoxious and violence-provoking tweet. Following the tweet, Berry has since made her Twitter account private.

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Who is Josselyn Berry? 

Berry is the 'Communication Director at the Arizona State Senate Democratic Caucus. Her LinkedIn profile reads she promotes her work using "social media, web and print to expand social justice ideas and political issue messaging." Berry has only worked for governor Hobbs since January as her press secretary. Her recent tweet racked scores of criticism online after she shared an image of actress Gena Rowlands in the 1980 movie 'Gloria' holding two guns in her hand with the caption "Us when we see transphobes."

Beery's distasteful tweet was deemed to be in response to trans shooter Hale, who stormed into the private Christian school wielding two assault-style rifles and a pistol, killing six identified as 9-year-old students Hallie Scruggs, Evelyn Dieckhaus, and William Kinney. The other victims were custodian Mike Hill and substitute teacher Cynthia Peak, both aged 61, and headmistress Katherine Koonce.

Authorities collected the shooters' manifesto, which detailed the map of the school, and potential entry points, and said Hale had planned to do more harm. Although the motive behind the shooting is unclear, as it is reported Hale was at odds with her devout Christian parents because they "couldn't accept" she was gay and transgender, reported Daily Mail.  Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake added the shooter had "some resentment for having to go to that school." 

Meanwhile, Hobbs has been a strong advocate for LGBTQ rights since she became governor of Arizona in November. She has yet to respond to the controversy, but the governor previously tweeted on the tragedy, "My family and I are sending all our love to the families affected by the tragic news out of Nashville. I know parents all over the country are hugging their kids a little tighter tonight."

'Wow! Talk about doubling down!'

Internet users unraveled their fury over Berry for provoking more gun violence and targeting the innocent transgender community. Republican Senator Jake Hoffman, who leads the Arizona Freedom Caucus, tweeted, "Less than 12 hours after the tragic shooting in Nashville by a deranged transgender activist @katiehobbs Press Secretary calls for shooting people Democrats disagree with. Calling for violence like this is un-American & never acceptable. @joss_berry should be fired immediately" Another added, "Wow! Talk about doubling down! How is this acceptable?" A third tweeted, "This looks like threats and inciting hatred. How is this acceptable?" A fourth claimed, "Get her out NOW." Another chimed, "I agree 100 percent. This person should be Fired." "She needs to be fired, it is a threat to people she disagrees with," claimed a tweet.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online