'No More Names' Tour to Reduce Gun Violence to Stop in Minnesota

(Field editor Caitlin Burgess wrote the original version of this article.)

A survivor of the Accent Signage shooting last fall, John Souter, and the son of the company's slain owner, Sami Rahamim, will join local mayors and other gun violence prevention advocates at a rally in Minneapolis Wednesday.

Jacob "Jake" Beneke was one of seven people (including the gunman) who died at Accent Signage on Sept. 20, 2012. A judge ruled earlier this month that Beneke's family's lawsuit against the company could go ahead, though not their suit against the shooter estate. 

The rally Wednesday is part of the the “No More Names: National Drive to Reduce Gun Violence," which is a 25-state national bus tour aimed at urging America’s leaders to support "common-sense" gun policies, according to a release.

Sami Rahamim's father, Reuven Rahamim was killed when Richfield native Andrew Engeldinger open fired on his former co-workers at Accent Signage on Sept. 27, 2012. Souter survived being shot by Engeldinger, however, five others died. Carlee Soto, the sister of Newtown victim Victoria Soto, will also be at the rally.

The event was organized by Mayors Against Illegal Guns, a bipartisan coalition of more than 1,000 mayors and 1.5 million grassroots supporters nationwide. The rally will take place at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 31 at the U.S. Federal Court Plaza at 300 S. 4th St. in Minneapolis. Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman will also be in attendance.

Sami Rahamim has been active in gun violence prevention since his father was killed, even appearing before the Minnesota House to testify on a proposed gun bill this past February.

Related at Maple Grove Patch: 

• Accent Signage Lawsuit Can't Target Shooter's Estate
• Family of Accent Signage Victim Sues Company, Shooter's Estate
• Police Release Detailed Timeline for Minneapolis Workplace Shooting

For updates and other information about the community, join us on Patch, Like us on Facebook and follow Maple Grove Patch on Twitter.