Neil deGrasse Tyson apologizes after backlash over mass shooting tweet

“My intent was to offer objectively true information that might help shape conversations and reactions to preventable ways we die,” Tyson said. “Where I miscalculated was that I genuinely believed the Tweet would be helpful to anyone trying to save lives in America.

“What I learned from the range of reactions is that for many people, some information — my Tweet in particular — can be true but unhelpful, especially at a time when many people are either still in shock, or trying to heal — or both,” he added. “So if you are one of those people, I apologize for not knowing in advance what effect my Tweet could have on you.”

In his original post, which was posted Sunday afternoon and quickly went viral and received backlash, Tyson listed the average number of people who died during the same two-day period in which the shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio occurred. The combined shootings claimed the lives of at least 29 people.

He compared those deaths to the number who died from medical errors, the flu, suicide, car accidents, and homicides committed using handguns, adding, “Often our emotions respond more to spectacle than to data.”

On Saturday a gunman in El Paso opened fire at a Walmart, killing 20. The suspect reportedly penned a manifesto prior to the rampage expressing the desire to stop the “Hispanic invasion of Texas.” Hours later another gunman began shooting outside a bar and restaurant in Dayton, killing nine and wounding 27 others.